TRAIN & PLAN FOR 2018 BTN B1G 10 HONORS

My BTN Big 10K t-shirt . Taken by PKSenagore June 7, 2018. All rights reserved.

THE BIG TEN NETWORK-SPONSORED 10K race (and 5k run/walk) this year it will be held on August 12, as usual in the vicinity of Soldier Field in Chicago.  The course information /map is not yet up on the organization website and the medal has not been revealed
 
Big news is that the event t-shirt designs have been released for each of the universities. “The BTN Big 10K is the only race that lets YOU select your school-specific race shirt” brags the website.  
 
The annual race draws spirited fans from all across the conference. Participants are urged to show super-spirit and dressing in traditional colors. There are “Spirit Awards” of significant value given to those who are judged to submit the best show of school love.
 
The Tailgate Party, mascots, cheerleaders, interactive games, and prizes make for an entertaining Fan Fest after the races. It is a LOT of fun and the venue is wonderful. I ran in the inaugural 10K with my son and his then girlfriend (now married) and still have my t-shirt. It’s like being at a BIG 10 football game where everyone is the home team. 
 
Couples with different university allegiances run together or in competition.  Families enter, all with the same or wearing different school colors. The minimum age is 8 years; under 18 youth must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.
 
Rules include a maximum finish time of 1 hour 35 minutes for the 10K distance (15:00 mile pace) and 60 minutes for the 5K distance (19:00 mile pace). Runners are assigned Waves and Start Corrals “in accordance with time qualifying standards established each year by the event.”
 
There are about 8 weeks left to train, if you want to beat your college roommate’s brother who did not go to a rival school but is an annoying rival fan all the same. Just saying. You may not want to line up unprepared to represent. 
 
Another reason for committing now is that Chicago can be an expensive place to stay in a hotel and rooms fill quickly. Start planning if your inner circle of chums wants to attend.
 
RUN & MOVE HAPPY!
 
http://btnbig10k.com