CHAPTER 14 - WEEK SEVEN - CHARITY FUN RUN
Wednesday morning came round very quickly, the sun was shining and it felt good to be alive! I had a job I simply adored and a man in my life (well sort of) that I could so easily fall in love with (no, he's simply a fuck buddy - remember that!).
Walking to the University my body ached a little from all the exercise it had done the previous day, never mind I had a charity fun run to complete so no good letting a little tiredness get in the way. I wondered what lay in store, neither of the previous events had been quite like anything I had imagined them to be. Arriving at the gym I was met by Brenda and Peter along with Dave, Callum, Glen, Oliver, Ethan, Tang and Marc. Brenda and Peter took it in turns to explain today's events. This morning would be dominated by the under 12's and under 18's fun runs, then this afternoon would be the adults fun run, in which we would be running. All three events would be televised so it was to be best behaviour all round. For us the morning would be concerned with trying on our costumes along with photo shoots for the College's and University's portfolio. We were told to make our way over to the College and meet the fashion crew who were responsible for designing the costumes. Marianne greeted us at main reception and led us to the Design Centre, where some familiar faces were waiting for us along with the media guys and eight costumes. Marianne explained that this year's theme was mythology and our costume designs would feature gods, monsters and heroes. The costumes were basically all in one jump suits, made of the sheerest silk which had then painted by the students. I had a distinct feeling that like last time I would end up feeling more naked in the costume than if I actually was. I was handed my costume, it felt incredibly light, it was gold in colour and I was told I was going to be Apollo the sun god (hence the colour). At the same time the other guys were handed their costumes, we all had bemused looks on our faces, while the designs were incredible how were we going to get into them? Marianne asked us what we were waiting for, we had a busy schedule to adhere to, chop chop she clapped her hands, laughing we simultaneously started stripping down to our underpants. Uh uh she said, VPL under the costumes will not look good. So off they came and there we stood naked as the day we were born before we attempted to get the costumes on. My bad feelings about this adventure were getting stronger as it very quickly became apparent that down to a man not one of us could get into the costumes. The students were panic stricken, their exam coursework apparently ruined by the paint they'd used which had shrunk the material and made it brittle. Looking bewildered we started to get dressed again. Marianne taking charge again asked us what we were doing, the show must go on one way or another, the press and examiners were expecting eight mythological characters to be leading the fun run - it hadn't been specified anywhere what the design medium should be. If the artist's original canvas had failed then a new one would have to be used instead. Confused by this vague statement I asked her what she meant as we didn't have much time left. I know she replied. Turning to the camera guys, she asked them to start filming as she had a cunning plan. Turning back to us she said, right guys to be a good canvas you're going to have to lose the body hair so please make your way to the shower room where we'll shave off all that nasty hair - what we cried, is that absolutely necessary? Oh yes indeed before we were shepherded (still naked) through the college corridors, past some very surprised looking students to the changing rooms and into the showers. The girls then volunteered to soap us up and shave every hair off our body (except the hair on our heads and beards) until we were as smooth as babies. The worst time was when they shaved my balls and crack, I'd never had a girl get so intimate with me before but she and the others didn't bat an eye lid. Then we were towelled dry and led back to the design centre like lambs about to be sacrificed! The students who had stayed behind had been busy in our absence, they'd retrieved their original designs and a huge amounts of body paint. Then they set about painting us literally from head to toe recreating the mythological scenes all over our bodies.
When they'd finished we looked incredible and if you only gave us a quick glance you'd miss the fact we didn't have a stitch of clothing on. There followed a rather hurried photo shoot both solo and group before we were whisked out to meet the awaiting public. I gave Marc and Ethan nervous glances, they seemed as nervous as I did. Just before we made our entrance Marianne gave us a morale boosting speech encouraging us to go along with the charade, with any luck no one would notice until after the event or at least once the fun run had started in earnest. Walking out into the crowd was surreal, trying to act as if everything was perfectly normal when it was anything but. Out of the corner of my eye I could see some people doing double takes and the cameras seemed a little more intrusive than would normally have been expected, but nobody said anything untoward and we made our way to the starting line joined by hundreds of other men and women. Their glances were a little more open and we heard several gasps, giggles, whistles and suggestive comments. Just before the whistle blew Marc came over and wished me luck, betting me he'd finish first and if he did he planned to get two hands up me. I said you're on, but if I win I'll return the favour, we shook on the bet. Then the whistle blew and the race began! The course was five miles long, which just happened to be the length of the University's perimeter fence so we streamed out of the main entrance to the campus on to the streets and ran along the footpaths adjacent to the perimeter fence. All the way round the general public supported us by lining the paths cheering on our progress. I tried my best to keep my eye on Marc but I quickly lost sight of him, not realising that I'd left him behind early on, he wasn't as fast as he thought! Not being able to see him spurred me on to run my best, but there was no way I could keep up with the leading runners. When I crossed the finishing line (the campus main entrance) I was informed that I had finished 57th out of 680 runners, I was chuffed with myself as I have never considered myself a natural runner. Making my way through the exhausted runners to the VIP enclosure (as instructed by Brenda and Peter) all I could think about was had Marc finished before me. Walking into the enclosure the only guys who'd come in ahead of me were Callum and Tang, chatting to them Callum had finished in 4th place and Tang in 23rd, we had a quick group hug before the media team joined us along with Brenda and Peter. Over the next hour the rest of the guys arrived in the following order: Ethan 151st, Oliver 206th, Marc 213th, Dave 248th and finally Glen 372nd. As each one came in we applauded them, with Marc's entrance I clapped especially hard and as he looked in my direction I clasped my fists together to remind him of our wager.
Once we were all together we faced the local TV camera crew and were interviewed as a group. Thankfully Brenda and Peter did all the talking explaining about our costumes etc. putting it down to a funding stunt rather than a design blunder. This explanation was presented to the TV crew before the filming began so that they could decide on the best strategy to prevent viewer complaints whilst remaining true to the story. In the end it was decided that the eight of us would be strategically posed so that our modesty was maintained while exhibiting as much of the students designs as possible with Brenda and Peter sat in front of us and spoke to the interviewer.
Finally the interview was over and having been provided with large blankets for warmth we were free to go to the gym showers to wash off the body paint, still the cameras were following us - even into the showers! Thankfully it was only the media team, rather than the TV crew. On reflection we must have all been under some pressure because as the paint disappeared down the drain the energy levels rose and we were soon horsing around, nothing sexual (after all this was being recorded) but it was great to release the tension. The commentator asked us if we'd enjoyed the experience, what good timing as without thinking we cried yes, that's good she said because we'll probably be asking you to do it again next year as it's been so successful, a trend could even have been started. Stepping out of the showers, we quickly dried ourselves and were finally able to dress as our clothes had been thoughtfully transferred over from the College. Giving me a sheepish smile Marc asked when I'd be collecting my dues, not tonight I groaned in response, I was thinking perhaps Saturday or Sunday as tomorrow and Friday we've got two late events. Sighing with relief, Marc agreed with me. Callum having overheard asked what this wager had been, oh I replied just a little bet Marc and I had to see who would come first in the race, as he lost he's due to pay a forfeit with me. What forfeit would that be? He replied. Marc seeing potential here, casually said, oh if we were to tell you that you'd be committed to joining in yourself but as you beat Joe in I guess he'd owe the same forfeit to you that I owe to him, what do you think Joe? Keeping my face straight, I said sure, sounds fair enough to me. Callum clearly intrigued readily agreed especially as I would owe him something, are you sure before we tell you Marc asked. Definitely came the answer. Okay, the forfeit is that Joe has the right to double fist me as he beat me in the race and therefore as you beat him you too have the right to double fist him. Seeing the shock on Callum's face I laughed and said don't worry I can take it and so can Marc. Wow was all he could say, I thought you guys were pretty wild in the staff room that day but I didn't realize just how wild you were, there's no way I want to miss this one - but guys can we keep this to ourselves? I don't want my girlfriend getting wind of this; she works in the design centre and gets pretty jealous if you know what I mean. Sounds fair enough to us we replied, we'll let you know when we're getting together and give you a call, have you got a mobile number? Sure, thing Callum replied writing his mobile number down on a piece of paper and handed it to Marc. Shortly after that we called it a day and went our separate ways home, I took my time because I was in no particular rush plus my body was knackered from today's running and yesterday's football matches plus there were loads of people still milling around some recognized me and wanted to stop and chat which I was pleased to do so. Most people were very supportive and appreciated the hard work that had gone in today's events. Finally I was able to break free and got home approximately an hour after I'd left the other guys, I cooked myself a quick meal and then fell into bed exhausted, sleep quickly overcame me.
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