Scott Jurek of Born to Run: “Said to me in downtown Boulder: ‘World doesn’t want to see your thighs, dude. And put a shirt on!’ Are short shorts out?”

Via Scott Jurek, world-famous runner (Boulder’s full of them, magnetized here by our high altitude and healthy living and abundant trails and…):

World renowned ultramarathon champion, power vegan, running coach, physical therapist, passionate plant-based cook, and star of NY Times bestseller “Born To Run” Scott Jurek:

‎”The world doesn’t want to see your thighs, dude. And put a shirt on.”

This was said to me with scorn on the streets of downtown Boulder this morning. Guess that’s the trouble with living 1.5 miles away from the trailhead, you have to streak the town on your way home. And I thought I was wearing my Brooks Sports long shorts! What’s it like in your neighborhood?

Are short shorts out?

A sampling of replies (just in the first 30 minutes, whew) from his FB page. Last names deleted.

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Scott B: If a woman does that, it is okay. Wear what you want. People can manage their own reactions.

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Brandy M: maybe he was having an insecure manhood day.

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Andrew P: Was probably uttered by some fatty.

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Betty S: I love the “Anton” look myself!!!!!

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Tom T: Always sportin the short shorts! On the run, at the store after the run….

3 hours ago

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Janet G: In Boulder? Wow!

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Lynette M I’ve had to witness men wearing shorts all winter here in Boise. They think it makes em look tough in sub 30 degree weather;) Be happy, wear what you will:)

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Shannon Mitchel When it is hot ( most of the time in Texas) i run in my jog bra and shorts. I worried about this for a while, but honestly I figure they don’t need to look if it bothers them.

3 hours ago via Facebook Mobile · 1 personLoading…

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Jiame Gurule The ladies call my short running shorts daisy dukes

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Sheima J. I would say the opposite, SHOW THEM OFF. They are totally admirable!

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Kai S: Just another person throwing negativity at someone doing things that they’re not… Would expect this to happen less in a fitness- and activity-oriented place like Boulder

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Lisa T: The shorter …the faster you go….;)

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Chris B I am surprised Scott Jurek doesn’t have hidden drop bags all over the place…

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Brian F: ‎1/2 splits and no shirt here in Charleston, SC. Don’t give in to the oversized, baggy crowd.

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Perla C They’re just jealous, show em off!!

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W They better get used to it. (although I take my shirt of when I have cleared the edge of town). Now if you were overly fat, that might be something you’d want to cover up ? (at least it’s not appealing to my eyes, but then who says people like my physique… hmmm.. double standards ?)

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Kendrick C: I wear fairly short shorts, no shirt, and run with my shoulder-length hair down all the time. I always get honked at, shouted at, cussed at, almost run over, and looked at like I just escaped the psych ward. East Texas isn’t very welcoming to runners. That’s why I prefer the singletrack.

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Goji W: No way…I just don’t pay attention to the naysayers…

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Andria T: I thought Boulder was teeming with super-fit shorts-wearers?!?! I love the sight of a well-muscled man leg–keep on keepin on, Scott!

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Ann O: Guys’ shorts a bit longer, girls go super short?

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Ken H: In Boulder??!! He must be a transplant from somewhere….he’ll learn!

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Kevin H: I would have told him to “kiss my ass”…And if I was you . I would have said “kiss my ‘Ultra King’ ass”!!

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Dave T. Yup – ignore the jealous and the haters. Run on!

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Jo K: Who cares people think about what you run in? If its comfortable to run in then wear it.

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Jennifer L: Whoa. If I saw your thighs and shirtlessenss run past, I’d just follow….wordlessly.

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Lisa G: I see short shorts around So Cal all the time and not just the trails. Seems normal wear to me.

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Jacob T: haha. my wife always makes fun of my “booty” shorts. but i could break most people in half with my big legs. no one usually says anything.

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Stephanie P: Yeah, it’s like this: feel free to streak through my neighborhood any time.

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Joe G: Shorts? I thought you only wore spandex now…

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Steven Richardson Out for a training run and a group of girls yelled run forest run. I guess being a comedian is what makes people tick anymore.

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Sean S: In all my years of running shirtless around Boulder/Denver I’ve never had anyone tell me that.

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Lisa H: Sweet! That being said not all dudes should be running shirtless. Conduct this quick shirt wear or do not wear test. “Can I rest a beer on my gut? If you answer yes. Then – no. Do not punish the general population. Wear a shirt. 🙂

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Sarah N: Sounds like the guy needs a run. Rock ’em and leave repressed folks in your wake.

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Christian S: i wear a pair of brooks split shorts, usually i just get a lot of jokes, however last night i was running through clearwater from tampa bay to the beach and back …when a beautiful young lady with great hooters exited the passenger window and flashed me in the middle of traffic. this actually produced measurable data on my HRM, and i attribute this phenomenon to by split shorts

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Wyatt H: I got yelled out by a townie in Leadville for changing into street clothes while at my car (covered with a towel, of course) after the Leadville Marathon last year. Never mind the fact that the Leadville race series brings in big bucks for the town every year. They should love us!

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Diana L: They’re just jealous. You look fantastic!

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Kai S: Thought about this a little more… This type of thing happens for various sporting activities… Don’t people realize that certain attire/gear is necessary based on the activity(?)… do they really expect us to bike, run, or climb wearing cargo shorts and a polo shirt, haha

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Amanda P: they are jealous lol

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David S: At least I don’t wear my full-length pants around my knees.

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Christopher M: Short shorts were never in. Running shorts is what they are called. And they’re always in.

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Jason S: I think overall body hair could also contribute to comments, not just weight/body composition. I say keep breathing and running Scott you’ve got better things to concern yourself with than someone’s small minded weak insults.

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Christopher I: I never understand why people criticize things like this. They aren’t active usually and they never will be its sad.

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Dane R: I plan on attending as many races that Ms. Adams attends as possible and hiking up my shorts even further than they already are while maintaining a speed of CA+1 (That is Carrie Adams plus one second.) Please join me, Scott.

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Marin S: Seriously? I think you’ve earned the right to wear whatever you want Scott. I personally prefer the acid washed super shorty denim shorts that you used to wear 😉 They really show the thighs off!

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Maria T: Who cares what someone is wearing while running. That’s seriously narrow minded and petty. At least you’re out there taking care of your body…

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Richard G: ‎@Lynette – I wear shorts until it’s about 20 degrees, as long as the run is 5 miles or less, although when it is sub-freezing, I break out the lined “winter” shorts. I have noticed that some places are stocking more of the basketball style shorts in their running section.

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Celine: We has similar comments at work. Healthy girls in shorts off running during their lunch hour. Is it a crime!

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Jamie F: I just got a similar comment on my way back to work downtown! First time I’ve ever had that happen in Boulder.

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Jarrod M: I’m in the military and those shorts are completely accepted. We refer to them as “ranger panties” because that’s typically what the special operations guys wear. I own a few pairs myself because I love the short shorts. On the civilian side, on the other hand, I often get stares and comments while running in them. No worries here though!!!

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Celine C: We has similar comments at work. Healthy girls in shorts off running during their lunch hour. Is it a crime!

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Lora C: NYC, we see it all. I’ve seen dudes in short shorts and women running in long skirts! No one seems to care!

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Michiel H: Who-ever said / made the comment is getting a lot of attention. Ignore them I say. Wear what you like, run in dress when you are a man, run in a dress when you are a woman. Run in anything you like (but check the law), maybe

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Michael W: Don’t hate the playa… Hate the game! Those who do, will, those who can’t bitch and moan about those who can… And do! 🙂

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Jiame G: A guy runs in taos shirtless n short shorts only problem he looks like the geico commercials cave man

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Michael W: Bet the same guy would tell you that you need to eat meat to be a competitive athlete! 🙂

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Roberto G: Jr I wear them as short as possible. Oh yeah!!

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Terri M: the guy was probably just jealous 😀 Now that I think of it I don’t recall seeing men wearing short shorts on the Edmonton trails, however going topless is common.

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Mij N: Last time that I checked it is still a free country. If Lady Gaga can wear meat, you can wear your short shorts.

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Anthony C: Hahaha! Come down to SF dude. You’ll get made fun of for your LONG shorts.

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Dessie S: no i,m still wearing them ,nth bondi in sydney anything goes ,i actually look conservative compared to the look at me set !

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Mark B: Shorter is better. I think the people who like long shorts must not sweat.

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Chris W: You should’ve said, “Maybe not. But these college babes are all over me.”

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Mark H: Brooks equilibrium for me, with built in lycra long shorts

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Martin W: If your going to wear shorts for running wear boardies, it’s the only way dude.

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Jiame Gurule I retired my short shorts 2 many stares from the ladies at races dont know if it from sheer horror or if from lust they r somewhere in my closet retired

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Laurie Buchanan No doubt the people who said that were standing with a bag of Cheetos in their hands 🙂

2 hours ago · 2 peopleLoading…

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Mark B: Switch to Speedos. They’ll never complain about 4-inch inseam shorts again.

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Victoria K: Be yourself! Everyone else is taken!

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Angela F: Too cold for shorts yet in Western Washington. Maybe you should try a skort!

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Cameron Smith Short shorts have been “out” since the days of long tube socks with stripes on the top. But when it’s hot I run shirtless in 5″ shorts; let the haters hate! You can tell the running newbies by their floppy sweat-soaked basketball shorts.

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Zak B: Wow, if he feels that way about you, what would he think of Tony k? THOSE are short shorts. An never a shirt. And no socks. His most concealing clothing on a run seems to be a nacklace or mala beads. (I love him just the same, met him a few weeks ago!)

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Russell W: I here a lot from non running friends about my short length, kind of funny really. Hell i’d wear a thong if I could run like you Scott

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Britt S: No short shorts in Boulder! What in the world has happened? I remember my first pair of Frank Shorter bright yellow shorts and singlet. Bought in Boulder maybe 35 years ago. Times they are a changing.

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Gordon M: Be Scott. I am really disappointed in Boulderites saying that.

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Mij N: My 11 year-old son’s recommended response, “That’s not what your mom said.”

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Justine T: Hysterical. I love it. I often take my shirt off and run in my sports bra. My philopshy is I’m still way more covered than most of the chubby teens in their low rise jeans.

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Gordon M: And Scott Jurek I hope you re-read all the clearly supporting comments here and then just “let it be”……looking fwd to u rockin’ it out in UTMB…will there be a video blog of the trip with the “gang”? that’d get some youtube hits for sure… ha

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Michael K Could really care less what others think.

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Marcel U whatevers comfortable , works …

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Levente D: The shorter the better 😀 Don’t like to run in floppy flags, keep the size down 😀 the less material u use the more green u go 😀

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HH: You’re a legend.

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Stuart S: Surprised you got this in Boulder… guessing someone was having a bad day. Wear what works for you, man.

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Dave S: Find out where he lives and run by every day in a thong!

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Mike M: Just tell them you’re gettin’ burley early! That’s what I do.

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Christopher W: Jealous people 🙂

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Benjamin B: Wayyyy out. Never saw anyone wearing them until I put them on for my first high school race and even then they were considered “gay.” Now their the only kind I wear so hopefully I’m bringing them back to SF.

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John P: I only had 5 ‘rude’ comments on my trek across the country, I just ignore them….. It’s not like your a 400 pound obese behemoth out wearing short shorts…. 😉

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Rene M: never heard that sort of thing running in Boulder.A speedo may be in order for the next run!

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Randolph B: I wear what makes my run and my work out more enjoyable. Depends what you are doing in your shorts as well. If you are playing basketball in short running shorts you might look out of place. But running is different. I would not go road cycling in running shorts or in basketball shorts. In short, wear what makes you excel.

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David R: really?!? what a dolt. I guess you could wear full Amish regalia like we get at some of the Lancaster, PA races, but I say wear what you want, and if he insists on having more words, make him catch you 🙂

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Katie O: Scott, I love seeing your thighs and please DON’T put a shirt on!

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Greg W: Me and the guys still get catcalls from idiots passing in cars in Bonita, Ca.

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Kati B My OBAMA sticker has gotten me a yell, finger, honk, but never my thighs. Be thankful. 🙂

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Joseph C: I don’t know about people running in short shorts, but it makes more sense than what I see. People running in 3XL shirts, judo shorts and Air Jordan’s on the trails.

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Lynn: John Stockton would be jealous of your shorts. Short shorts are the only way to go. Run happy.

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Gabrielle A: Wear what you love- it’s your run! & I think I’m not the first person to feel this way, but you & your shorts are welcome in Seattle! If someone is that concerned about your shorts, I think they’ve got other things they should be working on. You just enjoy your run!

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Nelson From Arizona: people running around half naked all the time; guys in shorts only, girls in sports bras and “bun-hugger” pants. Nobody really cares. After all, it’s hot.

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Toni K: Gotta get a camouflage Mankini and call it a “Boulder Holder” 😀