Photo by Eric Ayres Shadyside’s Nathan Butts came clad as President George Washington — commander of the Continental Army — to run the Ogden Wellness Weekend 5K Run as punishment for losing his annual fantasy football pool.

WHEELING — In what’s become an annual tradition, the loser of a fantasy football league last season gets the privilege to run the annual Ogden 5K Run presented by WVU Medicine Children’s in a ridiculous costume — and this year’s victim was a patriotic first.

Nathan Butts of Shadyside is in a 10-man hometown fantasy football league that imposes this unique punishment every year. It was his first time “winning” the last-place fantasy football title — and thus, his first time having to wear a costume in the race.

This year’s character was none other than the nation’s first President George Washington, complete with colonial outfit and powdered wig.

“I’d never lost,” Butts said during his “Revolutionary” debut Saturday morning. “We’ve had four different people do this, and it’s been a different person every year.”

Last year, the loser had to dress up as professional wrestling icon “Macho Man” Randy Savage. The year before that, the character was a bearded Forrest Gump — the version from the non-stop cross-country running scenes. Prior to that, the punishment was to run in a business suit while carrying a briefcase.

Butts said the character is collectively selected by the fantasy football pool in advance.

“Before the start of the season every year, we all come up with what we want it to be,” Butts said, noting that he was well aware that Washington could be in his future if his fantasy football team stunk this past season. “So I know it was going to be this as the season went on.”

The costume itself was not comfortable for running — especially the wig. But in light of the other punishment characters, it was not so bad.

“I guess it could be worse,” he said.

He found the costume on Amazon and had to order it — and pay for it.

“Part of losing is buying the costume yourself,” he said.

The guys in the fantasy football league all get together to run the races Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine regardless of whether they win or lose. Most of them, however, get to wear proper runner’s attire.

“I typically do the half marathon, so I’m ready for the 5K,” Butts said. “It kind of stinks that I can’t do the half marathon this year.”

One thing is for sure — Butts is expected to make careful selections in this upcoming season’s fantasy football draft. There is a chance that the league’s first repeat loser will be dressed for success and making a splash in the crowd at next year’s Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine.

“I really hope it’s not me,” Butts said.