The Mifflin Streak.

One of Penn State's most recognized traditions for three decades, it's an annual run held the night before finals week.

But this run comes with a twist. Here are the bare facts: A few hundred people show up, and some of them strip naked for a brisk late-night jog.

Most of those watching are merely bystanders, but fully clothed bystanders.

Wonder why?

Because waiting at the end of the run au natural are the Five-O, the boys (and girls) in blue, the police.

The birthday suit-clad runners who get caught during the Mifflin Streak are no different from the drunken 18- to 20-year-olds who risk the walk home every weekend night. Just because other people do it every year doesn't mean it isn't illegal.

Some people get caught, some get away. It's quite the gamble when you're in the nude.

If this sounds like a good, stress-relieving time, we're sure it is. That's the point -- the thrill, the adventure and the chance of getting caught, not to mention the possible citation that would give you something to worry about other than your looming O-Chem final.

After all, that's why people do it, right?

Six people were caught this year taking part in the nude acts. Five did not contest the charges and will be placed in the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) program. The program includes no jail time, and the charges will be legally dismissed and possibly expunged from the participants' records upon completion of the program.

So they got to run around naked as a jaybird and only get what amounts to a legal slap on the wrist.

At least this citation can be explained to your parents by claiming you got caught up in the tradition, the lack of sleep affected your judgement and the six Red Bulls you had since dinner that night made sitting still and remaining clothed an impossibility. Try finding a funnier, more pitiful explanation for an underage drinking write-up.

Only one of the apprehended students decided to fight the charges and is still involved in a legal battle.

This long-standing and quick-running tradition is all fun and games until someone gets offended. It is laughed at by most and run by a few, but as long as public nudity is illegal, so is the Mifflin Streak.

So if you take part, be prepared to either accept your lenient punishment or run faster.