All was quiet on the Colorado State University campus until just before 7 p.m. Friday — before a crowd donning just their undies and running shoes converged on the Fort Collins campus.

As they gathered, students broke into a series of chants, some shouting, “I said I’m proud to be a CSU Ram.”

Despite the university’s efforts to shut the event down, more than a thousand people gathered Friday night to participate in the annual Undie Run. The run, which first took place in 2008, has never been sanctioned or supported by the university. Nonetheless, for 11 years it’s taken place, typically on the last day of classes before finals week.

Other participants chanted themes against the University of Colorado.

As 7 p.m. rolled around, the crowd took off running — yelling, cheering, chanting and laughing.

Jess, a fifth-year senior who would only provide her first name, said this was her fifth year participating in the Undie Run. At this point, she said, it’s tradition.

“You see stupid things,” she said, “but it’s a great time.”  

As participants finished the run, folks gathered near the volleyball courts on campus. Music boomed as students set off blow horns and broke into more chants.