Running Bare

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths to which people will go to avoid and prevent nudity, even when it occurs in extremely isolated areas. Case in point: a man has been seen running nude in the Cupertino-Saratoga foothills of California.

He's cordial and polite, not threatening. He doesn't do anything obscene. He avoids confrontations. A white middle-aged man with a paunch, he isn't much to look at.

So one would think that liberal-minded Californians would leave the man alone to his naturist jogging, especially since there have been sightings for a year and a half. He has not physically bothered anyone, and has been seen mostly by horseback riders.

One rider says that she chased, cornered and confronted him, yelling that he should not expose himself to children, women and the elderly...He acted worried, she said, and backed away from her.

Let's be clear - jogging nude in that area is illegal. "No person shall expose any part of the pubic or anal region or genitalia while on District Lands in Public View.'' So I guess he could wear a thong to cover up the nasty bits. Or if he was a woman he could apparently jog topless. Would the equestrians run down and corner a topless woman?

I don't know, it just all seems so silly. The park rangers say that "efforts are underway" to track down and capture the naked man, who is apparently just out enjoying true freedom in the beauty of nature. It's really time to set aside public lands for nude recreation, where people can swim, hike, jog or sunbathe in the natural state of the human body. Just put up some signs to warn the gymnophobes, and hire an extra ranger or two. With Americans hung up as they are about nudity, chances are the designated areas would not be overrun with nudists - most people are terrified of their own bodies. In Ohio it's legal for woman to go topfree in public, but it's extremely rare to see someone exercising that right.

I say leave the man alone. He's not harming anyone and seems to be polite when encountered. Besides, he could become a local legend, with people bragging that they caught a glimpse of the naked runner one lazy afternoon when they were wandering along a wooded path.

But that's not reality. The truth is that a naked man is perceived to be disturbed, perverted, homosexual or a pedophile. And he apparently is just not good looking enough for overcome the stigma.

His skin is pale, turning red and sweaty with exertion. His hair is dark. So are the frames of his glasses. There isn't much body hair...`It's not a pretty sight.''

Tags: nudism, naturism, nudist, nudists, naturist, naturists, nudity, nudes, bare, au naturel, nude, naked