Hundreds of Vegas 5K participants take it off — for a cause

Participants in a Las Vegas strip contest Saturday took it off, but they didn’t take it all off.

More than 500 people came out for the second annual Strip on the Strip 5K, which benefited the U.S.VETS, a nationwide organization that provides job assistance, counseling and housing to homeless and at-risk veterans.

Some brought bags of clothes and others chose to wear them while running or walking and peeled a piece off at each mile mark to donate.

“It’s a cool concept to take clothes off as you go,” said runner Dan Shapiro. “It’s a great event for a great cause.”

Lynsey Reese, who was in town from State College, Pa., for NASCAR, said she brought a bag of clothes along with her to donate at the race.

“I run a race every time I come to Vegas,” she said. “This race had excellent sponsors and was really well organized.”

Las Vegas resident Lindsay Hoyt ran with “My Team Triumph Light of Las Vegas,” an athletic ride-along program created for disabled children, teens, adults and veterans.

The team was comprised of nearly 15-members. Hoyt said Strip on the Strip marked her seventh race with the group.

“We participate in about one or two races a month,” she said. “It’s all about inclusion.”

A few yards away, retired veterans Susan Garcia and Margie Colyer watched as participants crossed the finish line.

Garcia said she’s been participating in 5Ks for more than 30 years and chose Strip on the Strip because the cause was near and dear to her heart.

“I’m always looking to support the vets, especially ones that are not as fortunate as I am,” she said.

Garcia wore extra clothes to donate as she ran.

“I was a little weighed down from all the clothing,” she said. “But it was the most fun part — to peel them off as I ran.”

Kim Ocampo, a Las Vegas resident, said she ran her first 5K race alongside her longtime friends who she works out with regularly.

“We’ve been working out a lot,” she said. “We decided to push ourselves and sign up for the race.”

Oscar Rodriguez said races help keep him healthy and active. He chose Strip on the Strip because he’s a veteran of the Air Force.

“This is for such a great cause, which I truly support,” he said. “The Strip is also the best place in Vegas.”

Contact Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Find her on Twitter: @AnnFriedmanRJ.