While no one will actually be naked, the purpose of the event is to run without any smart technology.
The man behind the idea is running coach Adam Grogan, who is fundraising for his attempt at the Berlin Marathon, which he will be running on his late mother’s birthday.
‘I wanted something a bit quirky and went with naked run. No one will be turning up without clothes, the idea is to run without tech or running blind,’ he said.
‘Anybody who enters has to predict their 5km time, but I won’t be releasing the course.
‘It’s not going to be a straight out and back 5km, it’s going to be a bit quirky.’
The people closest to their predicted time will win prizes, which range from coaching sessions, massages, nutrition packs and boxing memberships.
The idea of predicting the finish time at sign-up means it opens up the event to anyone of any ability.
‘Using tech when you’re running can be really useful, however you can become quite reliant on it and end up running towards a time rather than learning how things feel.
‘I think there’s something quite powerful in understanding how your body reacts and how you feel, rather than just chasing the time,’ he said.
‘I run with my watch on
all the time.
‘I never take it off. It’s pretty much glued to me, but this is something a bit different if you’re someone who does a lot of sports, although even people who don’t do sports tend to have a smart watch.’
Mr Grogan has been running for 25 years and set up AG Running to coach the next generation of runners.
The Berlin Marathon will be his sixth World Marathon Major.
‘At the end of that you get a big, chunky medal which I’ve been working towards for 15 years,’ he said.
‘I’m fundraising for a UK charity called Dreams Come True, which provides final dreams for terminally ill children.
‘It’s a fabulous cause, it’s a little smaller than the big charities you see, so I’m hoping to try and make a bit of an impact.’
The Naked Run takes place on Saturday 4 July at 10am and is £5 entry. The starting point is at The Imperial Hotel and the course will be revealed at the event.
n To sign up, go to www.eventbrite.com and search for: “naked’’ charity 5km fun run
n To donate to Mr Grogan’s Berlin marathon fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com and search for: ‘adam grogan dreams come true’
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