Running barefoot in a hand-sewn loincloth, he embraced his primal alter ego, roaring past water stations and delivering the most iconic finish line moment of the race. Find out how this viral sensation came to life!
Glen Raines’ minimalist race outfit is surprisingly resilient.
He handcrafted it himself, using tan-colored faux-fur fabric sourced from a local craft store in San Diego.
Designed for comfort, it features a built-in support pouch and excellent breathability—partly because the back resembles a thong. A small Velcro strip secures it on the side, and despite sweat, gusty winds, and enthusiastic high-fives from marathon spectators, it has never come undone.
Which is a relief. Because at the 2017 Boston Marathon, that carefully sewn piece of fabric was the defining element of Raines’ signature character—"Barefoot Caveman."
Without it, he’d be running in nothing at all.
That’s why he carries a safety pin, just in case.
“You’ve got to be prepared for a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of a marathon,” Raines joked in an interview the day after finishing in 3:40:43.
His unique look went viral after the race, thanks to a perfectly timed photo at the finish line. The image captured him mid-fist bump with another runner, hair flowing behind him, and the loincloth miraculously staying in place.
Outside of races, Raines is a 50-year-old software engineer from Southern California. But on race days, he transforms into his alter ego.
“I’ve got the caveman look, and I run barefoot so it all fits,” he said. “Honestly, it’s a blast to wear.”
His first appearance in costume happened at a local event in 2011. Despite the limited material, his outfit is surprisingly detailed.
“I wanted it to feel as real as possible,” he explained. “I even made an armband from the same fabric to hold my phone.”
One of the necklaces he wears is made from an animal bone his friend found on a trail. The other piece of jewelry has a much more unusual backstory.
“This one is made from bones that came from my husband’s mouth,” Raines revealed. And yes, he was completely serious.
The small, white fragments were removed surgically a few years ago due to bony growths called tori. Rather than discard them, Raines decided they’d make the perfect addition to his caveman look.
“My husband was actually honored,” he said with a laugh. “They’re such interesting bones I had to keep them.”
Raines doesn’t just dress the part—he plays it up during races too. While running, including at the Boston Marathon, he lets out a caveman-style roar when passing water stations.
“People love it,” he said. “One of the best things about this costume is that it fires up other runners. It creates this amazing energy.”
Of course, the outfit has its challenges.
“Yes, even a caveman needs some anti-chafing help,” he admitted. During the final stretch of the marathon, he had to apply a generous amount of Vaseline. “And I wasn’t shy about it either.”
After crossing the finish line, Raines didn’t need to forage for food—though he does stick to a Paleo diet. Instead, he celebrated in a way that even the most ancient ancestors might have approved of: with three gin martinis.
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