Meeting someone in a bar is tricky – navigating through the masses to find the rare decent human who won’t actually try to grind on you (blegh) can get exhausting, but a few gin and tonics do provide a helpful confidence boost. Meeting someone anywhere else is daunting – what are you supposed to do, just approach someone’s real live face in a coffee shop or at the park in the light of day? Oof.
So, to make finding a lasting relationship a bit easier, New Hampshire-based sports event firm Ethos has come up with the Luv Run: a ‘race’ of sorts that encourages participants to run, or jog, or walk a 5k – it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re flirting your way to the finish line. There are no clocks and no pressure (except to, you know, find luv), just a bunch of singles ready to mingle in their spandex and neon sneakers. The run will premiere in Boston this Sunday at 11 am, after the Ethos’ Boston Triathlon.
When participants sign up for the run, they’ll be asked their status – attached, straight and single, or gay or lesbian and single – and then given a bib based on that status. Straight, single and looking? Keep an eye out for those wearing green bibs, and stay away from those wearing blue bibs, which signify that a runner is attached (you’ll probably be able to tell from their blue-bibbed running partner anyway). Gay/lesbian and looking will wear rainbow colored bibs. All bibs, however, are decorated with hearts. Aww.
It’s an odd idea – most of us don’t associate huffing, panting, and sweating with impressing potential suitors (if you do, you have some things to reconsider), but that’s why the point of the race isn’t to get the best time; it’s to get the most phone numbers! I think.
Since the only rewards that usually come with completing a 5k is an endorphin boost and bragging rights, here’s some added motivation for those of you who are sick of the tired dating scene and looking for a change – plus, there will be beer and music at the end of the race, which costs $35 to enter. If you’re competing in Ethos’ Boston Triathlon, which is happening earlier that same day, you get a discount.
The Luv Run, which will head along the Harbor Walk on Columbia Point, is for the casual runner – so don’t push yourself too hard. It’s much more appealing if you’re glistening rather than sweating.
