Crazylegs Classic
Encyclopedia
The Crazylegs Classic is an annual eight kilometer running race and two mile walk held each spring in Madison, Wisconsin
, United States
. The course starts at the Wisconsin State Capitol
and ends at Camp Randall Stadium
. The race was first held in 1982 in honor of Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch
. Proceeds benefit Badger Athletics.
The idea for the race was hatched in late 1981 by three Badger loyalists at a campus bar. The three, Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus, wanted to raise money to support UW athletics. As admirers of then- Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch, they asked his permission to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor. Tom Grantham continues to serve as general chairman on the Crazylegs Classic Executive Committee.
The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500. The event grew in popularity and the walk was added in 1987 with 676 walkers the first year. The event has grown, reaching a record high of 13,574 in 2005. Since its inaugural race 25 years ago, it has attracted over 150,000 runners and walkers.
Runner's World magazine has rated the Crazylegs Classic as one of America's Best 100 Events. Readers participating in the Capital Times
/Wisconsin State Journal
Reader's Choice Award survey have voted the classic the #1 Favorite Local Running Event every year since 1995.
The Crazylegs Committee was notified by the Road Runners Club of America
that a panel of peers voted the Crazylegs Classic as one of twenty races across the country chosen for "Great Races! Great Places!" recognition.
The scenic race course is considered a "runner's delight," starting opposite the State Capitol Building
, going down Wisconsin Avenue, moving onto the campus over Observatory Drive to Picnic Point and returning down University Avenue to Camp Randall where it ends at the 50 yard line.
, a four-year Cross Country letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
and former first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection, completed the 8-kilometer course in 24 minutes, 14 seconds to finish first overall.
Bethany Brewster, former University of Wisconsin–Madison track and field All-American and 2001 Big Ten Conference
Cross Country Athlete of the Year finished the 8-kilometer course in 28 minutes, 27 seconds to take the female title.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The course starts at the Wisconsin State Capitol
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Completed during 1917, the building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature...
and ends at Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895, and as a complete stadium since 1917. It is located on the center-southern region of the University of Wisconsin campus. The stadium seats...
. The race was first held in 1982 in honor of Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch
Elroy Hirsch
Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch was an American football running back and receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Rockets, nicknamed for his unusual running style.-Early life:...
. Proceeds benefit Badger Athletics.
The idea for the race was hatched in late 1981 by three Badger loyalists at a campus bar. The three, Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus, wanted to raise money to support UW athletics. As admirers of then- Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch, they asked his permission to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor. Tom Grantham continues to serve as general chairman on the Crazylegs Classic Executive Committee.
The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500. The event grew in popularity and the walk was added in 1987 with 676 walkers the first year. The event has grown, reaching a record high of 13,574 in 2005. Since its inaugural race 25 years ago, it has attracted over 150,000 runners and walkers.
Runner's World magazine has rated the Crazylegs Classic as one of America's Best 100 Events. Readers participating in the Capital Times
Capital Times
The Capital Times is a newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin by The Capital Times Company. The newspaper is primarily distributed in a 19-county region in south-central Wisconsin. The Capital Times formerly published paper editions Mondays through Saturdays, with a weekday circulation of...
/Wisconsin State Journal
Wisconsin State Journal
The Wisconsin State Journal is a daily newspaper published in Madison, Wisconsin by Lee Enterprises. The newspaper, the second largest in Wisconsin, is primarily distributed in a 19 county region in south-central Wisconsin...
Reader's Choice Award survey have voted the classic the #1 Favorite Local Running Event every year since 1995.
The Crazylegs Committee was notified by the Road Runners Club of America
Road Runners Club of America
Founded in 1958, the Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest distance running organization in the United States with over 1500 running club and event members representing 200,000 individual runners active in their running communities...
that a panel of peers voted the Crazylegs Classic as one of twenty races across the country chosen for "Great Races! Great Places!" recognition.
The scenic race course is considered a "runner's delight," starting opposite the State Capitol Building
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Completed during 1917, the building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature...
, going down Wisconsin Avenue, moving onto the campus over Observatory Drive to Picnic Point and returning down University Avenue to Camp Randall where it ends at the 50 yard line.
2006
Tim Keller of Milwaukee, WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, a four-year Cross Country letterwinner at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
and former first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection, completed the 8-kilometer course in 24 minutes, 14 seconds to finish first overall.
Bethany Brewster, former University of Wisconsin–Madison track and field All-American and 2001 Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
Cross Country Athlete of the Year finished the 8-kilometer course in 28 minutes, 27 seconds to take the female title.