Library Mall, Madison WI
Saturday, April 26th, 2025
🏃♂️ Crazylegs Classic Overview
The last Saturday of April each spring, over 10,000 Badgers descend downtown State Street to kick off the Crazylegs Classic.
🌟 Event History
Not surprisingly, the idea for this event was hatched in late 1981 by three Badger loyalists at a campus bar.
- Founders: Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus wanted to raise money to support UW Athletics.
- Name Origin: They sought permission from then-Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor.
📅 Growth & Popularity
The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500.
- Milestone: The walk was added in 1987, with 676 walkers the first year.
- Record Attendance: The event reached a record high of 20,415 participants in 2010.
- Overall Participation: Since the inaugural race 43 years ago, it has attracted over 354,000 runners and walkers.
🏆 A Time-Honored Tradition
The Crazylegs Classic has become a time-honored tradition of the University of Wisconsin, as well as a much-anticipated event to kickoff spring in the Madison community.
🔗 More Information
To learn more about the Crazylegs Classic, visit the official race page: Crazylegs Classic Race Page.
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