Sign up now for Crazylegs Classic

The 30th anniversary of the popular Crazylegs Classic will be celebrated on Saturday, April 30, and Ruth Hirsch, wife of the late Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, will serve as the grand marshal. Hirsch, a native of Wausau, played football for Wisconsin for one season and served as its director of athletics from 1969-87.

“He was a modern-day icon,” says Terry Murawski, executive director of the National “W” Club, “and the celebration of the 30th year of the Crazylegs Classic is recognition of one of the all-time great Badgers.

“His athletics achievements, charisma and movie star good looks made him a hero in his day,” adds Murawski. “Were he to play now he would arguably be one of America’s most recognized sports figures. In addition to being a star athlete, he had cameo TV appearances and acted in movies. He returned to the university to revive a lethargic athletic program and his impact is well documented.”

All proceeds from the Crazylegs Classic go to support Badger Athletics.

The Crazylegs wheelchair event will begin at 9:45 a.m. on the Capitol Square, the run at 10 a.m. on the Square, and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of State and Mifflin streets.

This year, the run will feature the latest timing technology available. The timing system will be part of the race bib, and the bib must be worn for the runner to be timed.

Early online registration for the 8K run and two-mile walk ends at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 7. The cost is $23 for the walk and $30 for the run.

Late registration, which closes at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, will cost $30 for the walk and $37 for the run. On-site registration will cost $40 for the walk and $50 for the run.

Fun and Fitness Team registration ends at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 18. The cost is $35 per team member, with a minimum of 10 members.

This year, participants will have two additional locations at which they can pick up their T-shirts and race bibs from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, April 29. They are the Best Buy stores in Madison.

There will also be on-site registration and packet pickup from noon-8 p.m. on Friday, April 29, and 7-9 a.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the Kohl Center. Due to construction, Lot 88 at the Kohl Center will not be available for parking.

Between 7:30-9:30 a.m. on April 30, there will be free race-day shuttles from Camp Randall and the Kohl Center to the starting line on the Square. The shuttles will not make return trips.

The post-race festival will feature a Fifth Quarter performance by the UW Marching Band and the return of the Eddie Butts Band, a local favorite.

For complete and up-to-date information about this annual springtime event, including registration and how to become a Crazylegs volunteer, visit online.