[media-credit name=’MATTHEW KUTZ/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]

More than 15,000 will be working up a sweat Saturday morning as they make their way from Madison’s Capitol Square to Camp Randall Stadium during the 27th annual Crazylegs Classic.

Terry Murawski, executive director of the National W Club, which hosts the run/walk, said he expects a record-breaking 17,000 participants when walk-ups join the crowd already signed up for the race.

Murawski said the recent increase in participants is likely due to the Badgers’ recent athletic success and the success of the previous events.

“The Badgers have never been hotter than what they are now,” Murawski added.

The Grand Marshall of the event will be former Heisman Trophy winning University of Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne, who currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League.

Murawski said getting Dayne for the position is great public relations for the event and also Dayne himself.

“I think his plans are to move back here when his career is over, so this is a great way for him to participate in the community,” Murawski said.

As Grand Marshall, Dayne will be greeting participants at the starting area and welcoming them as they cross the finish line in Camp Randall, according to Murawski.

Past Grand Marshalls include former football player Pat Richter, former Olympian runner Suzy Favor Hamilton, UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and UW football head coach Bret Bielema.

The Crazylegs Classic is named after Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, a former UW football star and athletic director when the event was founded in 1981. All proceeds go to the UW athletic department.

The event consists of an eight-kilometer race for runners and a two-mile walk for those who just want to take a stroll. Walkers will start on the corner of State and Carroll streets and runners will start on Capitol Square. Both routes end at Camp Randall.

Vince Sweeney, senior associate director of athletic communications, said the event has been a big breadwinner collectively over the years, but the money is not the most important.

“The bigger impact is the positive feel on part of UW athletics,” Sweeney said. “It’s one big Badger love-fest.”

He added Crazylegs is a reunion for many Badgers around the country to meet with others with whom they have participated.

Murawski said volunteers work to make the event fun so people want to come back.

“The best marketing is a good event,” Murawski said. “It’s like when you go to McDonald’s to eat there, and if you really like it, you go and tell your friends about it.”

Murawski said there will be entertainment inside Camp Randall when the race is over. Regional band The Love Monkeys will play after the UW marching band, he added.

“We know how to throw a party,” Murawski said.