On Dec. 6, hundreds of scantily-clad Santas gathered at Sidetrack Video Bar, 3349 N. Halsted st., to indulge in what has become a distinctly gay-flavored Yuletide tradition, the Santa Speedo Run.
This year marked the event’s 14th anniversary. The run has continually expanded, with increasing numbers of both entrants and supporters; there were so many supporters that at least 100 of them lined the opposite street to watch the action.
The goal for this 2025 edition was to raise $200,000 for programs at Center on Halsted, but there were even more surprises. Santa Speedo founders Jeff Colgan and his husband Karl Sponholtz received surprise awards for creating the event, which has raised millions of dollars to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Sidetrack Manager Brad Baloff was also surprised when Center on Halsted CEO Joli Robinson handed him a plaque commemorating year of service.
There were plenty of familiar faces at the race including the Chicago chapter of Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Emmy winner and NBC on-air personality and executive producer Matthew Rodrigues. Once again Debbie Fox served as host, with Boy J. and Cole Nelson assisting.
Sponsors for the event included Perrier, Molson Coors/Miller Lite, Tito’s Vodka, Men’s Room, CMSA, Maker’s Mark and Sidetrack.
