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More than 1,500 expected for Campus Classic race

Oct. 15, 2007

KALAMAZOO--More than 1,500 runners, walkers and spectators will take to the streets around Western Michigan University at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, for the Homecoming Campus Classic, an annual 5K run and walk and 1K walk and kids' fun run through WMU's main campus.

Now in its ninth year, the Campus Classic has become one of the most popular homecoming events at the University, drawing students, alumni, campus faculty and staff, and supporters from the Kalamazoo community. According to race director Sue Beougher in WMU's Office of University Relations, the event debuted in 1999 with about 850 participants and has drawn 1,400 runners or more each of the past five years.

"We expect about 1,500 runners and walkers," Beougher says. "And many are people who come back every year to take part in this event. We'll also attract about 300 volunteers to assist with everything from handing out shirts to doling out water from the sidelines and helping as course marshals."

Everyone who enters the race or serves as a volunteer will be eligible for the prize drawing to award 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. All participants and volunteers receive complimentary T-shirts and snacks, with refreshments available in the Bernhard Center Ballroom after each race. Runners who post the best finish times in the 5K race will receive special awards.

The 2007 Campus Classic begins at 8:15 a.m. in front of the Bernhard Center with a 1K walk and kids' fun run. At 9 a.m., WMU President John M. Dunn will fire the starting gun for hundreds of runners to begin pounding the pavement for the 5K run and walk. The event offers runners the option of using a ChampionChip--an automatic timing device--to determine how long it takes them to navigate the 5K course. Walkers will not be timed.

The easiest way to register for the race or to volunteer is by visiting the Campus Classic Web site at www.wmich.edu/race and completing an online form. Forms also are available from the Office of University Relations in 300 E. Walwood Hall and at select locations around campus and throughout the community.

Registration packet pickup will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Gazelle Sports on the mall in downtown Kalamazoo. Pickup and in-person late registration will continue from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in Room 105 of the Bernhard Center. Doors to the registration area will close promptly at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Sponsors for the 2006 Campus Classic are AAA Travel, Gazelle Sports, Beaner's Coffee, Coca Cola, General Mills, Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, Panera, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell and WMU Parking Services.

For more information about the Campus Classic, visit www.wmich.edu/race or call (269) 387-8402.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news