Annual Naked Man Run celebrates first snowfall of 2025-26 school year

The “Son of Man, Be Free” statue, nicknamed the “Naked Man,” at the center of campus.

Photo credit: Nora Betts

By Nora Betts

Managing Editor

Shouts echoed across Concordia’s quad as around 20 male students, clothed in nothing but shorts or underwear, raced through the snow on Monday night in the annual Naked Man Run to celebrate the first snowfall of the school year. The participants ran laps around the nicknamed “Naked Man” statue at the center of campus, made snow angels and sprinted back to the warmth of Dorcas Hall while nearly 35 fellow students spectated and cheered.

Senior Grace Donnelly said one of her favorite parts was how the event kicked off at 10 p.m., “when you hear them screaming from across the parking lot.”

“Just hearing that horde of men screaming really just brings joy to my heart,” said senior Ella Gilzean.

The yearly, student-led event is named for the “Son of Man, Be Free” statue in the quad, which students call the “Naked Man.” Junior Aiden Jenik said that even though it was 12 degrees outside, “it’s a lot of fun. That’s the only reason [I did it].”

Groups of students gathered on the sidewalks around the quad to watch their peers run screaming through the snow, and then they retreated to their cars or the warmth of the buildings. Freshman Joshua Schultz said he and many other students in the library stopped their studying to go outside and watch the event.

Junior Timothy Dose, who organized and participated in the Naked Man Run, thanked God for the fun, foot-freezing opportunity.

“I would like to thank Jesus and God for being by my side during this entire performance,” Dose said. “It took a lot of grit and character, but we pulled through, and Jesus got the dub today, not me. My toes are cooked.”

Unlike Dose, sophomore participant Andrew Brosius did not go barefoot. “I don’t regret socks for one second,” he said.

Senior participant Matthew Guilford said the unique Concordia event helps build community among students.

“Those are great guys,” Guilford said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie that goes on.”

He also noted the chaotic yet fun atmosphere of participating in the Naked Man Run.

“I felt like I was in Greek Sparta or something,” said Guilford. “It was awesome.”

Dose said the Naked Man Run was the first thing on his mind when he saw the snow that morning. He spread the news on his Snapchat story and by word of mouth throughout the day.

“The second I woke up and I saw that it was snowing, I immediately got ready for the day, and I sprinted out to the Naked Man statue, took a picture of it, and said, ‘Hey, Naked Man Run. Tonight. 10 p.m. Be there or be square,’” he said.

After his senior year, Dose said he plans to pass the event organization to “an unsuspecting either freshman or sophomore to carry out the legacy.”

Gilzean said she was glad she got to witness the event once before she graduated.

“Wow, I mean, what a delight, really, to see all of those men,” said Gilzean.

News about the event even spread beyond Concordia’s campus.

“My grandma has been looking forward to the report for months now,” said Donnelly. “I told her about it last year or the year before, and she thought it was the funniest thing ever.”

Guilford joked that the Naked Man Run is a Christian reimagining of a pagan ritual, and Donnelly agreed.

“The Bible doesn’t say anything specific about running around naked in the dark, at least not that I know of,” said Donnelly. “Maybe I should read my Bible more.”