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Homecoming Campus Classic celebrates 10 years runningOct. 1, 2008 KALAMAZOO--More than 1,500 runners, walkers and spectators will take to the streets around Western Michigan University the morning of Saturday, Oct. 4, for the 10th annual Homecoming Campus Classic 1K and 5K run/walk and kids' fun run through main campus.
One of the most popular homecoming events at WMU, the Campus Classic attracts 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 six years. "We expect about 1,500 runners and walkers," Beougher says. "Many 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. This year, each participant also will receive a special 10th-year anniversary gift. Runners who post the best finish times in the 5K race will receive gift certificates for Gazelle Sports, and there are also special prizes for those who have participated in all 10 Campus Classic races. The 2008 Campus Classic begins at 8:15 a.m. in front of the Bernhard Center with a 1K walk and kids' fun run. The 1K follows a new route, beginning and ending on West Michigan Avenue in front of Seibert Administration Building, passing the sundial and flag poles at the center of campus and looping around the Chemistry Building. 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. There are no significant changes in the route of the 5K race from recent years. The easiest way to register for the race or to volunteer is by completing the online form available on the Campus Classic Web site. Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. 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 and packet pickup will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 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. 3, and 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in Room 105 of the Bernhard Center. Doors to the registration area will close promptly at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Sponsors for the 2008 Campus Classic are AAA Travel, Gazelle Sports, Biggby Coffee, Coca Cola, Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, Panera, Pizza Hut, Subway, Taco Bell, WMU Catering and WMU Parking Services. For more information about the Campus Classic, visit wmich.edu/race or call (269) 387-8402. Media contact: Tonya R. Hernandez, (269) 387-8400, tonya.hernandez@wmich.edu WMU News |
