Run in Thongs for Animals?

I found this cute and quirky article on the Baylor Lariat's website (my college's newspaper). For non-Baylor alumns, the joke is that the university hosts a yearly marathon called the Bear-A-Thon. The university also gives Baylor students a spring holiday every year called Diadeloso, or "Day of the bear." (It's often shortened to the name, "Dia")

I love these girls' sense of humor and dedication to help their local animal shelter. I hope they host the event again this year!

Thong race event for animals to take place on Dia

April 21, 2010
By Tori Liggett
Reporter

As the Baylor campus gets ready for Diadeloso, a group of students is gearing up for the Bear-A-Thong.

Like most students on Dia, the residents of "The Big Green" house will host a party - only theirs is for a cause.

"There are so many stray dogs around my house across LaSalle, and walking around campus, especially by Collins, you see so many stray cats," said Austin senior Ashley Anderson, founder of Bear-A-Thong. "The Waco Humane Society is trying to help with this problem; they do so much. We would just like to help give back."

With their mutual love of animals and uncanny sense of humor, the girls decided to host a mile and a half run down 10th Street to benefit the Waco Humane Society (www.wacohumanesociety.com).

"Animals just seem to find their way to our house," Lufkin senior Alyssa Massingill said. "My roommate Miranda has a soft spot for animals. She feeds several stray cats and a lost puppy who found their home on our porch."

While brainstorming for a name for their charity run, someone comically suggested Bear-A-Thong and it stuck.

Instead of making T-shirts for the event, everyone receives a thong, which will be worn on the run, outside of clothing.

The run will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday. The race begins and ends at 1624 S. 10th Street.

The students have extended the invitation for the charity run to anyone who wants to participate. To be included in the run, you have to join the Facebook group Bear-A-Thong, bring $10 to donate to the Waco Humane Society, and grab a thong.

"Do not worry if you are shy or a wallflower: you can always put the thong on your bike or your head," Anderson said.

Since the run is to benefit the Waco Humane Society, participants are encouraged to bring their dogs to run with them in the race.

Although the students of "The Big Green" do not officially own their own dogs - Bruce, a Chinchilla, Ernie, a McCaw Pirate; and Sky, a Siberian Husky - will be out on the porch cheering their owners on.

"I am really excited about the Bear-A-Thong. Every year Diadeloso is a huge celebration for college students. Now we can still have fun but help donate and save lives," Canyon senior Lauren Smith said.

"We are giving the donation to the Waco Humane Society the day after the run; we hope to raise around $500. Do it for the Thong, do it for the animals."  

(Click Here for the link to the original article)