Sex and the Single Runner

I have to admit it, the headline caught me: "Chase Skirts and Drink Beer!"

Evidently Nicole DeBoom - founder of SkirtSports has founded a new race series called the Skirt Chaser 5K. It works like this:

Women runners start first in a “catch me” wave, followed by male runners three minutes later in the “SkirtChaser” wave. The first athlete to cross the finish line, male or female, wins $500.

After each event, a "Block Party" is held, which features live entertainment and a happy hour atmosphere of food and drinks. Skirt Chaser events are scheduled throughout various parts of the country and the food is sponsored by local restaurants. The libations are sponsored by Red Bull and Oskar Blues Brewery.

According to the SkirtChaser website at the band's break Ms. DeBoom emcees a competitive DriLex fashion show "all the way down to the skivvies"  featuring SkirtSports and SkirtChaser products. Awards follow in which first, second, and third place winners of the "fashion show" receive monetary prizes. According to the event website -   

"The SkirtChaser Race Series is an experience unlike any race you've run and any block party you've attended. Not only is it a brand new running race format, giving women a head-start on the men in a fun atmosphere, the entire event is innovative, from packet-pickup to the Block Party and all of its sponsors. From walkers to pro-runners, the SkirtChaser Race Series invites you to experience the most fun you've ever had while working out!

"Come for the crazy awards, or the scandalous fashion show, the free beer and music, or the chance to leave your kids at home with the babysitter on a party night, or imagine that, the actual race! But mostly, come help SkirtSports and all of its sponsors celebrate a fun-filled life of fitness, where you'll never stop smiling and you may just meet your future spouse!" 

DeBoom's SkirtChaser events are currently scheduled throughout the spring and fall in Chicago (this weekend), Denver, Austin and Orange County, CA.

Reading the description of this event I am reminded of the wet t-shirt contests that were so popular in LA bars in the 80s and 90s. And to tell you the truth, I am not sure why this makes me a bit uncomfortable.  I mean, clearly this is good clean fun, but there is something about putting "sexy" and "women's running" in the same sentence that feels a bit off to me. Maybe it's the "trucker mud-flap girl" logo that gets me, or the concept of women being "chased" by men. Or maybe it's the positioning of road racing as a dating strategy?

I dunno.

What do you guys think?

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