A record number of people participated in the 27th annual Crazylegs Classic Saturday morning in Madison despite cold, windy conditions.
The annual event to sponsor the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department drew more than 16,000 to Madison’s Capitol Square.
“I’m really, really cold and my pants are too thin, but I think I’m glad I got up to do this on a Saturday,” said Crazylegs walker Buffi Sprecher.
The race consisted of a five-mile run or two-mile walk starting at the Capitol and ending on the 50-yard line of Camp Randall Stadium. The course for the run included a number of hills, along with a route up Observatory Drive.
UW alumnus Codie See crossed the finish line 24 minutes and 37 seconds after leaving the start line, making him the overall winner for 2008. Linsey Smith, the winning female, completed the course in 28 minutes and 51 seconds.
Several participants said they looked forward to the finish line celebration in Camp Randall with free beer and entertainment provided by a local band, The LoveMonkeys.
“My legs kind of hurt, and I want some more beer,” said UW senior Ben Dickey at the end of the race.
This year’s grand marshal was Ron Dayne, former UW running back and Heisman Trophy winner. Former UW runner and Olympian Susie Favor Hamilton led the walkers.
Barry Alvarez, Bucky Badger, about 20 UW athletes and the UW Spirit Squad cheered on runners at the start line as the UW Marching Band played “On Wisconsin.”
Runners started the race in different waves based on their previous Crazylegs’ time or an estimated finish time.
“Last year, I ran [Crazylegs] in 36 minutes with a really bad hangover, so hopefully it goes better this year,” said UW sophomore Austin Wessell, who was placed in wave “E.”
Freshman Alexis Kuhlmann said this was her first race in Madison and that the event was well-organized and had a lot of support from volunteers.
Matt Garity, Madison Memorial High School senior, said he volunteered with the distance runners from his track team and enjoyed working as a leader of one of the waves.
“We have the ropes, and we lead off people to the start,” he added. “We get to run with them to the start and then drop the rope.”
The event is popular among students and alumni, but each person has a different reason for running the event.
UW senior Betsy O’Brien said she and her friends signed up for the race “when we found out there was free beer at the end.”
Others run the race as a way to help them train for another longer race.
Runner Kat Sachs said she is training for a half-marathon and recruited her sister to run Crazylegs with her to make the run more fun.
The race, named after former UW Athletic Director Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch, began in 1982 and is currently sponsored by more than 20 area businesses.
