In the long expanse of summer holiday, what do Cambridge students do to fill the revs-shaped hole in their hearts? This August, we decided to try the ever popular ‘Otley Run’ in Leeds.
The Otley Run is a route that stretches from Headingley to Leeds City Centre, down the infamous Otley Road. Of course, this is not without stopping off at a whopping seventeen (!) pubs along the way. The event is incredibly popular with students across the country, not least because of its themed costumes. Each group picks a concept and dresses accordingly. As someone who is not opposed to a costume party, this was music to my ears.
Initially, we brainstormed ideas such as Mario characters, zoo animals, and grannies and grandpas, all of which are very popular on the run. But I have to turn to our resident northerner, Theo, to explain why he chose our theme: Under the Sea. He attributed his decision mostly to my own “obsession with fish”. Admittedly, I do have a preference for the aquatic, often wearing jewellery or accessories with sea imagery. Ironically, not a single person in our group actually dressed up as a bog-standard fish, but I like to think my jellyfish costume was pretty on-theme.
My outfit (shown left) consisted of a wonderful jellyfish hat which I purchased from the dreaded Amazon, a popular choice of shop for our last-minute costume-buying. I carried the sea through with the rest of my outfit, with my top and skirt both being purchased from a car boot sale in Dalston. I felt that the swirls on the skirt and the flowing blues of the bandana top mimicked the movement of a sea creature. My jewellery was also suitable for the occasion: an anchovy necklace from En Route and shell bracelets from a holiday in Greece.
Despite the initial humiliation of wearing a giant blue hat, I quickly eased into the run, possibly aided by the flowing beers. Besides, my outfit was not the only one capable of causing embarrassment, as Albie (above, right) sported a stunning Merman costume, with his iridescent shawl and blue wig courtesy of his mother. Although he was shedding from pub to pub, it is safe to say that he outdid himself with this one.
Perhaps more on the sea than under, pirates were also a popular choice. Our fellow Cambridge pub-goers, Dan (left) and Theo (right), purchased a pirate accessory pack, and sported shirts from Uniqlo and Amazon respectively. Though both were keen to emphasise their costume’s bargain price, Dan also added that it was “impossible to turn down” matching with Theo.
Eloise also chose to be a pirate, going for a more Jack Sparrow-esque look. She wore jewellery mostly purchased in charity shops, borrowed a bandana and a waist chain from her friend and a basic white tank from Primark. However, the highlight of her outfit was undoubtedly moustache through her septum, which topped off the pirate look.
Again venturing above sea level, another popular costume came in the form of lifeguards, where this group of boys all matched. It was agreed that Isaac’s (middle right) was the best, with Dan pointing out that his use of accessories was impressive, particularly the float. Nonetheless, the homemade shirts of Dylan and Harry encompass the spirit of the Otley Run perfectly. As you make the mile long journey, a sea of incredible (and not so incredible) costumes line the streets.
Stella and Abi definitely deserve an honourable mention for their orca face paint, which Stella did for both girls. They wore black and white outfits to match, all drawn from their own wardrobes.
Now comes the all-important question for a fashion enthusiast like myself: who was the best dressed? Despite battling some tough competition, the consensus pointed in the direction of mermaid-clad Albie and myself.
If asked what made my costume stand out, I would have to say that my hat was the clear winner. I managed to balance silly and stylish, keeping the hat on my head throughout, even after one too many pints.
