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By Karsten Baun
Translated by Ida Mari Dreijer

One hour before the battle begins, dressed in motivation, standing with an image of 31 foaming runners who overthrow themselves to the field of straw, the phone rings. A sad photographer tells with a trembling voice that the Naked Run was already over two hours earlier than our information, and we had missed it. Terrible! A sudden rainful cloud covered Roskilde Festival Saturday afternoon.

Clearance on the horizon

Following a disappointed kick at a beer can, performed with the style of Chaplin, a parade of naked, happy participants from the Naked Run walk by at a brisk pace. They’re on their way to the lake, looking forward to refreshing swim after the run. The photographer brightened on the phone, and shortly after we were running towards the lake, accompanied by a fresh breeze in our direction.

Camp Nude the favourites

By the lake, the last participants get out of the water after a refreshing bath. “To begin with, I was a little exited, but now, after the run and a tour around the festival site, I don’t bother anymore”, a girl explains while the pencil cracks as the distracted reporter tries to take notes. Camp Nude were the favourites participating with nine people out of the 31. Camp Nude has been warming up during the week, and it has great profiles on the team such as the reigning male champion, Magnus, who won the past four years.

An encounter with a champion

Helle, 19 years old, from Horsens, was the female winner of the Naked Run 2008. We meet her shortly she gets out of the lake, along with her girl friends from ‘Camp Tuc crackers – come and get me’. She explains that the day started with a warm-up beer and a swim, and that the three rounds of the run went by quickly. In the evening she is going to work from 4pm to midnight. Here she has chosen to stay dressed, as she has received enough attention for a day. Helle also received a ticket for next year’s festival, where she plans to defend her title.

Humanitarian focus?

On my way back to the office, I meet a friendly naked man. Unfortunately, he didn’t participate this year as he didn’t feel like running, but he was there to support the rest. He also heard about Camp Nude and sympathised with the project. I promised to pass on the request for more nudist events next year. The humanitarian focus at Roskilde Festival 2009 is already dedicated to climate, but what about 2010 and a focus on the right to be naked? The idea has now been passed on!