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.”
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…