Print
Email
0
0
March 6, 2014
Reporters May Contact:
Jeremy Borling, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
1.312.992.6614, jeremy.borling@bankofamerica.com
Christa Mann, USA Track & Field
1.317.713.4672, christa.mann@usatf.org
Elite men’s and women’s racing teams from across the country to compete for
$20,000 prize purse in Chicago
CHICAGO – The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and USA Track & Field (USATF) today announced that the USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships will return to Chicago for the second year in a row. The event, featuring elite USATF-member racing teams from across the country, will be held as part of Chicago’s popular 40,000-participant road race on Sunday, March 30. The Shamrock Shuffle, the world’s largest 8K road race, is Chicago’s traditional kickoff to the running season for competitive and recreational runners alike. The return of the USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships continues the event’s storied tradition of hosting the nation’s top runners on the flat and fast streets of downtown Chicago.
“We’re excited to welcome the country’s top USATF club teams back to Chicago to compete for a national title,” said Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. “Running clubs-both big and small-make up the foundation of the running community. This is a unique opportunity for many of those clubs to compete on a national stage in a world-class city. It’s also important to recognize the athletes who invest countless hours of training to reach the highest levels of the sport and the dedicated clubs that support them in their pursuit.”
The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K has been home to several top national and international performances over its 35-year history, including Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor’s 8K American and course record of 24:36 set in 2005. Last year marked the first time the event hosted a national championship, which attracted more than 200 athletes representing 46 elite teams from nine states. The men’s and women’s national titles were won by the internationally renowned Hansons-Brooks Distance Project of Michigan, with runner-up honors going to California’s ASICS Aggies in the men’s division and Ohio’s Cleveland Elite Development in the women’s division.
“The Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle 8k offers a first-rate opportunity for USATF clubs across the country,” said USATF CEO Max Siegel. “Creating competitive opportunities for our clubs who serve as the backbone of our sport is very important to USATF and we look forward to returning to Chicago.”
With a $20,000 prize purse and national recognition at stake, the second annual USATF National Club Team 8 km Championships hosted by the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is open to all USATF-member running clubs whose members meet the event-required qualifying standards.
For championship and event information and registration details, go toshamrockshuffle.com/usatfchampionships.
About the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring and the kickoff to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 35th anniversary Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K takes runners on a scenic tour of downtown Chicago, starting and finishing in Grant Park. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, and will conclude with live music at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park. In advance of the event, a two-day Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Health & Fitness Expo will take place at Navy Pier on Friday, March 28, and Saturday, March 29, featuring more than 80 industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness Expo is free and open to the public. For more information about the event and how to get involved, go toshamrockshuffle.com.
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body for track & field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, the world’s #1 track & field team, the most-watched events at the Olympics, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport, and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States:Â www.usatf.org.
Average Rating