It's an annual tradition that has grown from a couple dozen people to hundreds. And it's certainly a spectacle. For its 18th year, the Albany Santa Speedo Sprint returns to downtown Albany. 

Each December, the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy (ASAP) puts together the fun run in an effort to raise money for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Med. Friends, co-workers, different clubs and organizations all take to Lark Street every year - most wearing very very little on what has traditionally been a very very cold day. 

The fun begins at 11am on Saturday, December 9th where runners can meet up at Oh Bar on Lark and the Lionheart on Madison to engage in some holiday cheer before the run. The Sprint kicks off at 2pm sharp at the corner of Lark and Madison. 

Registration starts at $33.85, the first 175 sign ups get a commemorative Santa Speedo Sprint t-shirt. 

Need more convincing? Check out last year's run below!