UCLA Undie Run caught on video, at last

One of the greatest college traditions in America, the UCLA Undie Run takes place in the middle of the school's quarterly finals. Thousands of Bruins bare (almost) all and run through campus in a moment of organized rebellion. The event, which was held Wednesday night, is intended to alleviate the pressure that comes with big exams.

Student bodies want to look their best, so underwear sales in Westwood Village spike in the run-up. American Apparel is a popular pick, but it is not the blue-and-gold standard. Victoria's Secret doubles its business on the big day, and it has better sales figures than on Black Friday (or "Pink Friday," as they like to call it).

This year, the UCLA Undie Run underwent some changes as administrators tried to make the route safer for students and library windows (which have been broken in the past). By diverting participants to the intramural field instead of climbing toward Powell Library, there was considerable less panty-ing uphill.

An estimated 1,000 people ran this week, slightly less than previous runs. It was a chilly night, after all. As the crowd dispersed, UCLA Dean of Students Robert Naples indicated that things appeared to have gone smoothly. If anybody is named in follow-up reports, he or she could find themselves on double-Victoria's-secret probation.

Check back on this post in a few hours to links for more Times coverage of the uncoverage. In the meantime, you can't go wrong with LAist's Best-Of photo gallery, documenting the highlights of the last few years.

Update: Our first pictures are in. Check two of them out after the jump

Update 2: We've got another UCLA Undie Run post with a second video and even more photos.

—Post and video by Adam Rose

Photos: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Patricia]

You have to be really smart to get into UCLA. And yet these photos still manage to look like adverts in a fashion mag. Looks like the smart kids these days are hitting the gym.

[ancientbruin]

When I was at UCLA we had the (drum roll) "Midnight Scream" as a finals week stress release.

This is much, much better... Now why didn't we think of that???!!!

[misc sub]

"As the crowd disbursed..." Who did they pay? Did you mean dispersed?

[Bruin_Bry]

Sadly enough, I participated in the 'Midnight Scream'. Screaming from our dorm rooms at others screaming in an all out orchestrated sigh of relief. How lame. I think I'll join the undie run next year, big gut and all.

[bruingal]

Speaking as a student, the "Midnight Yell" definitely still goes on, it's just banned in the residence halls, due to multiple complaints from neighboring communities. However, the apartment-dwellers still happily participate. Undie Run is just additional to previous traditions, not a replacement.

[Santa Cruz]

LA is lame, Santa Cruz has the naked first rain run. Wannabes.. I guess it is LA, it's pretty much all they have.

[carla bruni]

what a great tradition!

http://testingthetesters.blogspot.com/

[Boog]

God Bless America and UCLA!

[Tufts]

Lame. Look at the Tufts Naked Quad Run (done in sub-zero temperatures) if you want a real college tradition.

[phil]

you dont have to be smart to go to ucla just smarter than use. do you really think these ppl look attractive?!

[El Grito]

It looks like the lame fratboys and ho-rority skanks are at it again. This should be where it belongs in the roach infested houses on gayley where it is out of sight.

[George]

Harvard has "Primal Scream," in which undergrads run a naked lap around Harvard Yard, usually in 20 degree weather. This UCLA business is a good copy-cat effort

[Phil]

This is wayyy better than the midnight yell when I attended ucla. GO BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!