28B - The Michigan Daily -est of Ann Arhor 1999 - Thursday, April 8, 1999 0 0 RBest Campus Tradition Thousands crowd Ann Arbor streets for running, voyeurism By Sasha Higins Daily Arts Writer If a scene of naked revelers delighting in the outdoors reminds you only of the Roman orgy painted on Gratzi's walls, yquobviously haven't been in Ann Arbor long. But don't fret, the instant replay is just around the corner. You'll be able to witness a celebration no artist can attempt to convey, not to mention an unforgettable Ann Arbor tradition - the Naked Mile. Scheduled to take place on the last school day of each winter semester, the Mile celebrates its 13th birthday this year. Last year, on April 21, it attracted 1,500 paicipants - the most ever. Such turnout gave the event the named "Greatest Streaker Gathering." The Mile's come a long way since its humble beginnings. In the spring of 1986, a group of four students, part of a house- hold named "The Oasis," decided to find the ultimate release from pre- and post- exam stress. Doug Krause and Steve Ggper - Oasis residents, track/cross country runners and founding fathers - were leaving an Ann Arbor bar when Gayner dared Krause to walk home with- out his pants. From this stemmed the idea to run completely nude through campus. The set route was to start just past Washtenaw Avenue on South University Avenue, and end at the Oasis on East William Street. The plans spread to several members of the track and crew teams (two Oasis resi- dents were crew members). The actual event started at a crew member's house on the corner of Walnut and South University Avenue; Jane Esselstyn, another crew member, drove the car car- rying the runners' clothes. Originally there were 12 runners, 10 men and two women. Torin Dewey, an Oasis resident, provided the background music - riding a bicycle along side them and blasting the theme from "Chariots of Fire" on a boom box. Runners stopped to pose for pictures on the steps of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. The crew team since then has taken a role of leadership in the Mile. Crew team members, wearing nothing but goose- bumps, formally begin the race at around 10:30 p.m., and the runners follow about an hour later. Obviously used to extreme temperatures in crew practice, the team is unaffected by weather conditions. Last year, the impressive turnout proved that 17 degree weather will not deter those bent on following the team's example. Engineering junior Josh Hauser plans to save his Mile debut until next year. "It's a hell of a great way to shed every- thing, from problems to clothes during that last week of school," Hauser said. Most people are attracted to the event more for observation than for participa- tion. Last year, more than 20,000 specta- tors turned out. Runners had to tolerate not only the frigid air but also the flash of camera lights. Last year, reporters came from as far as London and Germany. CNN, National Public Radio, and numerous local televi- sion stations were part of the media fren- zy welcoming the participants. Several independent agents, hoping to cash in on exposing the Michigan student body, also fought their way to the front. Runners have now begun to come prepared to combat their meddlesome onlookers - with squirt guns, masks, and even fists. The male-to-female ratio in the Mile is The "Naked Mile" was voted Ann Arbor's Best tradition. significant. Only around 250 runners were women last year, and DPS attribut- es this to the increased hazard of sexual assault for female runners. Student groups have attempted to diminish the risk by arranging various safety crews to supervise the run. Volunteers wearing bright yellow T-shirts work closely with local police to establish a Naked Mile Security Force. Volunteers also give T- shirts to runners for the walk home. Safety, however, is not as much a con- cern as exposure. Students like LSA senior Jeremy Covington see the attrac- tion to the event, but don't aspire to be runners. Ever. "For me there isn't enough Jack Daniels in the world to run and let this college watch me bare all;" Covington said. "One day I might get into politics and who knows where pictures could sur- face in the future!" :