Campus Classic 5K has new course and start times
KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University's 14th annual Homecoming Campus Classic will feature a new certified course, start and finish line, and post-race brunch venue.
The Saturday, Oct. 6, event starts at 8:45 a.m. with the 1K Fun Run in Lot 13 in front of the Student Recreation Center on Western Avenue. The 5K run and walk will start at 9:15 a.m. on Western Avenue in front of the Student Recreation Center. Participants will be timed using Chrondtract B-Tag disposable chips already fastened to their racing bibs.
The new certified 5K course will take runners around campus via the ring road—Rankin Avenue, Goldsworth Drive, North Dormitory Road, West Michigan Avenue and Western Avenue, where the race ends at the Student Recreation Center.
Free parking located in the ramp across West Michigan Avenue from the Student Recreation Center will be available before the race and ending at 11:30 a.m. Those wanting to stay and tailgate will have to pay a fee to park or will be ticketed. Access will be limited at nearly every building on the West Campus while the 5K race is taking place and parking along the race route is discouraged.
"Due to road changes, construction on campus and an increase in participants, this year we had to modify the event," says Race Director Sue Beougher. "After last year's race, we went to work changing the location of the start and finish line, registration, brunch and, finally, the race course itself."
Register online through Thursday, Oct. 4. Costs are $20 for adults, $15 for students and $10 for children if registered before Thursday, Oct. 4. After that and up until the day of the race, the price is an additional $5.
Packet pickup and registration
- Thursday, Oct. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. downtown at Gazelle Sports
- Friday, Oct. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center
- Saturday, Oct. 6, 7 to 9 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center
Prizes
Everyone who enters the race or serves as a volunteer will be eligible for the prize drawing for one $500 travel voucher from AAA Travel.
Specifically for WMU students, 10 free campus parking permits also will be given away. A drawing for a number of prizes for children will be held immediately after the 1K run and walk. Participants must be present at the post-race drawing to be eligible for the AAA Travel voucher or parking passes. WMU students need to present their student ID and WIN number to claim their parking passes.
All participants and volunteers receive complimentary T-shirts, and refreshments will be available in the Student Recreation Center after each race.
The top three finishers in each age group, the top three teams in each division and overall male and female winners will receive a gift from Gazelle Sports.
The annual race kicks off the final day of homecoming activities. The Broncos face the University of Massachusetts at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Homecoming Campus Classic drew nearly 2,000 participants last year.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/campusclassic or call (269) 387-8402.