Thursday in Kona … Must be Time to Run in Your Underwear

October 8, 2026

It’s a tradition that dates back to 1998. Paul Huddle and a few friends decided they needed to send a message to all the folks walking around in their Speedo swim suits all week, while also dispelling some of the pre-race nerves that are inevitable when you’re getting ready for the IRONMAN World Championship. Huddle’s coaching partner at Multisports.com (along with their wives Paula Newby-Fraser and Heather Fuhr), Roch Frey, joined in the action in 1998 – there were a dozen people who were part of the run that year.

There were a lot more than a dozen at this year’s event – there were 850 official entrants, but the crowd sure seemed a lot larger than that. The Underpants Run has steadily grown over the years, and is now an official part of the race week program. Over the years over US$400,000 has been raised for local charities. This year’s event raised over $36,000.

Here are some shots from today’s festivities: