In celebration of the end of classes, the Official Undie Run Coalition at ASU is hoping for 12,000 people to show up, strip down and jog around ASU’s Tempe campus to bare all on Tuesday night.

Biological sciences junior Rubin Green, founder of the club, said the big push of the event is to establish a tradition at ASU and donate to
local charities.

Green transferred to ASU last spring and also transferred the nearly-naked-running-for-charity tradition.

Club public-relations manager Brian Ortiz, a political science and sociology junior, said the group hopes people will show up and donate the clothing off their backs.

“That’s the main difference between [ASU’s event] and other events,” Ortiz said. “We’re trying to give back to the community. This was always intended to be a clothing drive.”

Last year, more than 5,000 people participated in the nighttime run.

This year’s event has been upgraded to include live music.

After last year’s event, the coalition was charged more than $1,880 by ASU Student Life for trampled plants and other damage by runners.

After worry that the event wouldn’t be able to continue because of a lack of funding, the coalition got funding from Undergraduate Student Government, the Residence Hall Association and several outside businesses.

“We’re expecting as many clothing donations as people, at least,” Ortiz said.

Central Arizona Shelter Services, Arizona Helping Hands and the Andre House will receive donations from the event.

USG president-elect Brendan O’Kelly said he hopes to attend the event to thank the group for supporting the local community.

“[USG] supported the run financially, and we want to say thank you for such a big effort to support local shelters and banks,” O’Kelly said.

Ortiz said students aren’t required to run in just underwear or donate, but it is highly encouraged.

“You can run in clothing or you can run without donating [clothing], but the whole idea is to give back.”

The group hopes it will become an official ASU tradition. Currently, it is an ASU-sanctioned event and recognized by the Student Organization Resource Center.

“It’s going to be one step above incredible,” Green said. “I brought this tradition with me, except I made it bigger and better in every way.”

Reach the reporter at tessa.muggeridge@asu.edu.