It’s not Jazzercise; it’s like, a Totally ’80s Fun Run

So, like, there are two kinds of people in this world: Those who totally love running, and those who should take a chill pill. Truth be told, those who love running really dig the results, while those who hate it might just hate the way their bod looks when they run. Fortunately, fun runs accommodate both types, and there’s no shortage in variety of these tubular 5Ks.

Some of last year’s fun runners dug the leotards and sweat bands out from the back of the closet for the Totally ’80s Fun Run, which starts and ends at Mullets on Saturday, April 12.

“I started the (Totally RAD ’80s Run) last year after seeing a fun race like it on the west coast,” said Jacque Young, CEO and Founder of BAD Sportz. “I was also looking for a creative way to help out charities as well as pay off my law school loans.”

As a child of the late 1980s, it was no question which decade she wanted to celebrate along with this event.

“The ’80s are the most fun decade of culture and music!” Young said. “My favorite thing from the ’80s was Rainbow Brite! It was so fun and so colorful. Also, all the great music! So many good ones to play!”

The decade was a blessing and a curse for many musicians amid a sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll culture. Hair metal acts like Motley Crue and Guns ‘n Roses emerged to create a new industry-changing sound, while other talents perished from over-indulgence, all documented by Music Television (MTV), which debuted on cable in 1981. Cue the cultural shift. Artists like Duran Duran could become megastars in a day rather than through years of touring.

MTV was also a heavy influence on ’80s fashion. People across the country — and around the world — did their best to copy the hairstyles and fashions they saw in these new music videos, making artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson fashion icons.

The spirit of that radical time is the energy behind the Totally ’80s Fun Run.

“For this race, you see all sorts of fun stuff,” Young promised. “Think leotards, leg warmers, big hair, Michael Jacksons, neon, bright colors, ’80s prom dresses, mullets, boom boxes, sweatbands, spandex and shoulder pads.”

While dressing up is encouraged and, like, so totally awesome, it’s not required. Regardless of the garb, Young encourages participants to grab their mix tapes, rally the homies and lace up those Chuck Taylors for a race that is sure to be trippendicular.

“Everyone is sure to have a great time bringing back the ’80s with great music, hair and fashion while also getting in a little exercise,” Young said. CV                

David Rowley is an Iowa native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a master’s in film journalism from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. This cinefile/journalist/gumshoe is always prepared with a pen in his pocket feverishly searching for that “perfect level of ridiculous that makes the absurd desirable.”