Half-naked runners will take to the bustling, holiday streets of the Back Bay on Dec. 12 for the 10th annual Santa Speedo Run, a 1.25-mile jog down Boylston and Newbury Streets during which participants are dressed in nothing but Speedo-like attire. And sneakers, of course.

Entry is limited to only a few hundred, and has reached its capacity this year. But, as you might imagine, the run is also always a pretty well-attended spectator sport.

The winner of the race (which begins with a few fear-chasers at nearby Lir) wins the grand prize of...well, it's not that sort of competition. Instead, each entrant is required to raise at least $250 for charity. The runner who raises the most receives a prize give-away. (Last year's winner received a ski weekend). The Santa Speedo Run has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. This year's run is to benefit Crossroads for Kids and Bottom Line, a pair of organizations striving to make differences in the lives of local youths.

What began out of boredom in a Boston bar nine years ago has grown into something of a national phenomenon, inspiring similar events in Albany, N.Y., and Austin, Texas. The run will also make its debut in Atlanta this month.

Runners are encouraged to wear holiday-colored Speedos, as well as Santa hats and beards. Luckily for everyone, thongs are not allowed. The race begins at Lir, 903 Boylston St., at 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy Jon Ianelli

How will President Obama's announcement that he is sending 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan affect local military personnel?

According to The Boston Globe, "more than 1,800 National Guardsmen from New England, including at least 200 from Massachusetts, will leave in the next two months as part of the 86th brigade." The paper also notes that "by the end of 2010, some 2,000 National Guardsmen from Massachusetts will be serving in Iraq and Afghanistan." According to the Burlington Free Press, the deployment of nearly 1,500 soldiers from the Green Mountain state is the largest deployment of Vermont troops since World War II.

During last night's Massachusetts senatorial debate at Suffolk University, all four Senate candidates (Stephen Pagliuca, Michael Capuano, Alan Khazei, and Martha Coakley) were critical of Obama's plan.

"If we stay there, we are fighting yesterday's war," said U.S. Rep. Capuano (D-Somerville), according to the Boston Herald. "We have accomplished our mission in Afghanistan and I think the biggest mistake we can make is to change the mission."

Public opinion seems to be split over whether sending more troops overseas is the right thing to do. Obama's plan calls for a withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2011.

The holiday season officially kicks off in the Back Bay Wednesday night, when the Copley Square tree lighting takes place.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino will join the Friends of Copley Square, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Back Bay businesses in the celebration, which will also feature the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble, the Trinity Church Children's Choir, and a visit from Santa Claus. Free refreshments will be provided by local business, including Legal Sea Foods, which will be dishing out its famous chowder. That's reason enough to go.

On Thursday, the Boston Common tree gets its own celebration, complete with performances by singers Brian McKnight and former "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle. Also, beginning next Friday, Hanukah is in the spotlight, as the daily Menorah Lighting at the Brewer Fountain at Boston Common will begin to take place, each day at 4:30 p.m.

For more information on all holiday lighting ceremonies, visit the city's web site.

Photo Courtesy Greater Boston Convention and Visitor's Bureau

There's a definite energy in Boston around Christmas time. Back Bay streets are bright with holiday lights, the Faneuil Hall tree glitters with hundreds of ornaments, and the city's world-class dining and shopping takes on characteristics that make the holidays bright. There's plenty to do, see, and taste. Here's a look at just some of the top Christmas events happening in Boston.