Underwear run precedes N.Y. triathlon

NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Organizers of the Jamaica Underwear Run in New York planned for a turnout of about 500 people for the event in New York City's Central Park.

Officials of the Friday night event, a 1.7 mile run created as a lead-up to Sunday's Nautica New York City Triathlon, said the Naked Cowboy, known for playing his guitar clad only in boots, a cowboy hat and underwear, was chosen as grand marshal of the race, with additional entertainment by the reggae band JAM-X.

The event previously set a world record with 448 people running together in their underwear.