The miserable weather didn’t stop runners from participating in the annual Cupid’s Undie Run event Saturday, Feb. 14. In fact, at this event, discomfort was sort of the point.

Since 2014, Kansas City has been one of the hosts to the event deemed “the pantless party with a purpose.” The run raises money for neurofibromatosis, commonly referred to as NF — a group of genetic disorders that causes skin pigmentation and tumors on nerve tissue. The event is organized by the Children’s Tumor Foundation, which supports research on NF.

This year’s event started off with a Valentine’s Day-themed party at Q Kansas City, 504 Westport Road. It included an open bar, photo ops, and people dressed down to their underwear. Some of the run participants were dressed wearing just their underwear, socks and sneakers for the 50-degree, rainy weather.

There was more socializing, drinking and dancing going on than stretching and preparing for a run. Many people didn’t care about the rain on Valentine’s Day. In fact, some of them walked in with only their briefs and shoes.

On paper, this was a charity event that included exercising. In reality, the undie run was giving people something to laugh about and be silly with, all while doing it for a good cause.

The point of dressing down is to show solidarity with those fighting NF, which impacts 1 in every 2,500 people. The race director for the Kansas City run, Layne Whitehouse, describes the moment as a way for people to relate with those fighting the disease.

“The idea behind it all is people with NF are uncomfortable, so we can be uncomfortable to run a mile in whatever weather, in our underwear,” Whitehouse told The Star. “It’s very exposing. It’s uncomfortable, so we are trying to relate to them, but also having a lot of fun and fundraising for them.”

Over 30 cities across the country have been participating in the run, with all of them happening around Valentine’s Day. A million dollars has been raised across the country, with the Kansas City run reeling in $22,000, according to Whitehouse. That’s a huge leap from last year’s $15,000 raised.

Around 100 runners registered for the event, and many of them had different reasons to participate. Some did it for the sake of the cause, others did it as an excuse to be outside in their underwear.

For Shawnee residents Lindsey and Hannah Dubey, the cause hits home, literally, as their 17-year-old son Eli has type two NF, schwannomatosis.

Eli was diagnosed with NF at 5 years old, according to Lindsey. He said receiving news like that “stops your world.” He and the family had to adjust to Eli’s needs, while also educating themselves about NF awareness.

“NF is so different for everybody, whether it’s type one, two or three. There are kids that are going through major medical battles, passing away at a young age,” Lindsey said. “We do everything that we can, especially my wife. She’s the champion for the cause.”

Despite such a serious disease, Cupid’s Undie Run is a time for people to cut loose and have a fun time while supporting the cause. It’s almost like a mini-vacation for the Dubey parents, since they usually get a hotel near where the run is held.

“It makes us feel awesome. Friends, family, community, that’s what it’s all about. It seems like there’s a lot younger people than us, so they think of it as a party,” he said. “But when they learn about it, they can pass that information on. And they realize that any money they’ve help to raise, goes to the cause. And what a good it goes to.”

After about two hours of partying, it was time to run. It was a short one, though, just a mile long through a small part of the Westport neighborhood. Kansas City police assisted with blocking off parts of Westport Road so the runners could jog in peace.

The first person back was Andrew Janesko, a Lawrence native who participated in last year’s run when it was in the Power & Light District, and wanted to run it back this year.

“The charity aspect is great. I’m a runner, so I do marathons and stuff like that, but it’s fun to come out and do something nice and fun, easy for the big, great group of people, so I had a great time,” Janesko said following his run.

If you didn’t participate in the run, but would like to donate to the cause, donations are being accepted on the Children’s Tumor Foundation website.