Registration Open for BTN Big10K

Registration is now open for the BTN Big10K, the summer race that turns the Chicago lakefront into a Big Ten Tailgate Party. The 10K and 5K races return to Soldier Field on Saturday, July 25th. Special Olympics Chicago is the race’s charity partner for the third straight year.

New this year, Fleet Feet Sports-Chicago is offering a $20 voucher toward any purchase in one of their six Chicagoland retail locations to each of the first 1,500 adult runners who sign up for the race.

Last year, a record-breaking 15,000+ runners participated from 47 states and seven different countries.

Those who register on or before June 25th are guaranteed an official gender-specific race shirt in their favorite school’s colors. The race shirts are available in each of the 14 Big Ten school colors as well as a BTN Fan shirt for those who may miss the June 25th cut off.

The course begins on the Soldier Field campus and takes runners down Chicago’s lakefront. The finish line will once again be integrated into the wildly popular Fan Fest & Tailgate Party, so runners will be greeted by cheering spectators as they cross it. Runners will also be accompanied by BTN talent, former Big Ten greats, school cheerleaders and mascots. The BTN waterslides, also a fan favorite, return to both the 10K course and Tailgate Party.

The 10K will include participation by top area runners, award winners from previous years’ events, as well as many former varsity student-athletes from Big Ten schools. Awards and cash prizes will be presented to the top five male and female 10K finishers overall. As with last year’s event, there will be an additional cash prize for the top male and female runners who are also alumni of a Big Ten University. Prizes also will be awarded to runners who show the most school spirit through festive costumes and school-inspired accessories. Every finisher of the 10K or 5K will receive an official BTN Big10K commemorative medal, which will feature a new design for 2015.

The event will be followed by a Tailgate Party, which will include music, football-themed games and activities, such as corn hole, field-goal kicking and the 50-yard dash, as well as appearances by BTN talent and former Big Ten athletes. Also, the Tailgate party will include tents hosted by the Chicago Big Ten Alumni Associations and food and beverage concessions. Each race finisher 21 and older will also receive a free beer.

Registration for adults is $48 for the 10K and $38 for the 5K. For children 12 and under, registration is $25 for the 5K. For all information on the BTN Big 10K, go to: www.BTNBig10K.com. Like the BTN Big 10K on Facebook for event details and race updates.