Santa Speedo Sprint at 20 draws hundreds to Albany's Lark Street

Runners near the finish line of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Julia Mason and Shiva after finishing the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Julia Mason and Shiva after finishing the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Runners near the finish line of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union

The Sharks team dances to Sax-O-Claus prior to the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Event organizer Jim Larson at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Event organizer Jim Larson at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Runners walk up Lark Street to participate in the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Runners walk up Lark Street to participate in the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union

Danna Saad dishes out chili outside Savoy during Taste of Lark, held in conjunction with the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Spectators line Lark Street for the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Spectators line Lark Street for the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Runners at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Runners at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Runners head down Lark Street during the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Runners head down Lark Street during the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union Runners get ready at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Runners get ready at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union

Event organizer Jim Larson with two of his aunts, Ann Degonzague, left, and Diane Dollard, at the start of the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union

Hot chocolate and hot food outside Spa Halcyon during Taste of Lark, held in conjunction with the 20th annual Santa Speedo Sprint on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Albany, NY. The sprint, hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy and the Troy Hellion and Albany All-Star roller derby teams, is held to benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Jim Franco/Times Union

ALBANY — On Saturday afternoon, Albany residents Riley Ackley and Julia Mason took to Lark Street were wrapped in green tulle, dressed as Christmas trees.

“We had a dream, and then we spent many long nights making these outfits,” Ackley said. “It’s hot glue and sewing machines.”

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Ackley and Mason were two of 360 participants in this year’s Santa Speedo Sprint, an annual 800-meter race down Lark Street that raises funds for Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center Hospital. The race — featuring participants of all ages in inflatable Santa Claus and gingerbread costumes, holiday sweaters, elf ears, Santa hats, shark outfits and, of course, Speedos — commenced at 2 p.m. and ended around 2:15 p.m. when organizer Jim Larson and 10-year participant JC Colletti crossed the finish line.

“A lot of people call it the best day in Albany,” Larson said. “Our motto is relax and encourage.”

The event brought around 1,700 spectators and raised $32,000 and counting, Larson said. Colletti was awarded one of the event’s two awards: the Nora Esposito Award for the individual or team that raises the most money for charity. She raised $14,000, Larson said.

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“This event means so much for me,” Colletti said. “I grew up during the AIDS crisis, and being able to help in any way the Damien Center in Albany and the great work they do for our community, we’re here for it.”

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According to a report by the New York State Department of Health, nearly 115,000 people with HIV were living in New York state in 2024. HIV – (human immunodeficiency virus) can be transmitted through unprotected sex and without treatment it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of people newly diagnosed with HIV has fallen to historic lows due to advancements in prevention, treatment and increased awareness, according to a December report by the state Department of Health.

“Progress on HIV/AIDS prevention has been fantastic,” Larson said. “We want people to have healthy lives.”

Monica Esopi, who uses pronouns they/she, helped register participants at Oh Bar with their organization, the Hellions of Troy, a gender-inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly roller derby league. They participated for the first time in the sprint and prepared by pulling out their running shoes, stretching, hydrating, dancing and taking a shot— steps many other runners seemed to follow to brace for the just above 30-degree temperature.

“The Santa Speedo run is a remnant of the Lark Street that I remember from my youth. It is where you get the most creative, funkiest people who come together as a community to celebrate the vibrancy of this corridor. There’s no judgment,” said Jesse Sommer, owner of New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room on Lark Street. “It’s freezing, but that’s not going to stop people from being in their bathing suits, specifically Speedos, and running up and down the length of Lark Street in front of their neighbors, in front of the shopkeepers, who make this place such an amazing place to live and to do business.”

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The day’s other award, the Matthew Peter Spirit of the Sprint Award, was given to “the sharks,” a team of College of Saint Rose alumni who have participated in the event for around 15 years. Their team had the “best sprintness,” Larson said.

Twenty years ago, the Santa Speedo Sprint started in Albany with just over 35 participants and around 200 spectators, Larson said. Larson and a few fellow Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy (ASAP) members were inspired by the original, mile-long version in Boston, Mass., which launched in 2000, and knew it would fit perfectly with the society’s mission of finding relaxed, unique ways to encourage philanthropy.

“To have people do this for 20 years is such a great feeling, and to have people look forward to it every year and bring their families,” Larson said. “Did anyone ever envision that?”

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Over the past few years, faced with dwindling foot traffic, concerns over public safety and a declining nightlife — combined with turnover within the organization tasked with promoting the street and planning events — some feel Lark Street has grown a bit quieter. But events like Santa Speedo Sprint have continued to bring community engagement onto Lark Street, which Larson looks to continue for years to come.

“It’s so important to our neighborhood and this community, especially this time of year when we’re rolling up for the holidays,” said Chris Burke, the newly elected board chairman of the Lark Street Business Improvement District. “We want everyone to remember Lark Street is here, it’s a fun place to be.”

Santa Speedo Sprint at 20 draws hundreds to Albany’s Lark Street

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