10K & 5K RACES | JULY 13, 2024
2024 BTN BIG 10K PRESENTED BY DIRECTV
PARTICIPANT GUIDE
Get ready to celebrate the greatest conference in college sports at this one-of-a-kind racing experience. We look forward to welcoming you and thousands of Big Ten fans as you represent your favorite school while racing along Chicago’s iconic lakefront. After the race, stick around for the ultimate Big Ten tailgate!
Continue reading for important information about this year’s event.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, July 11
1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Packet Pick-up
Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt Road)
Friday, July 12
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Packet Pick-up
Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt Road)
Saturday, July 13
BTN Big 10K and 5K presented by DIRECTV Soldier Field (1410 Special Olympics Drive)
5:30 a.m. Gear check opens
6:00 a.m. Start corrals open
7:00 a.m. 10K race start
7:30 a.m. Post-Race Tailgate starts
8:15 a.m. 5K race start
10:00 a.m. Beer last call
10:30 a.m. Gear check closes
10:30 a.m. Post-Race Tailgate ends
Saturday, July 13 to Saturday, July 20
BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV Virtual Race
EVENT RULES
All participants must follow the official event rules of the BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV, which are posted on the event website (btnbig10k.com). Event rules should be reviewed in their entirety before race weekend.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation is strongly recommended for transportation to Soldier Field. Go to metra.com or transitchicago.com to plan your route by train or bus. If you drive, allow sufficient time for traffic congestion and street closures in the area due to the race and other events happening at McCormick Place and around Soldier Field.
PARKING
Standard Parking manages the parking and on-site traffic operations at Soldier Field’s Waldron Parking Garage. Please visit soldierfieldparking.com for more information on race day parking.
RACE WEEKEND INFORMATION
PACKET PICK-UP
Packet pick-up email
Participants will receive a packet pick-up email* on Wednesday, July 10. Packet Pick-up will take place on Thursday, July 11 (1 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Friday, July 12 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the Roosevelt Collection, located at 150 W. Roosevelt Road. If you cannot pick up your packet in person, a friend, family member or co-worker can pick up your packet for you by presenting a copy of your packet pick-up ticket email.
*The packet pick-up email can be presented on the screen of a mobile device or tablet, or in the form of a printout/hard copy. If you misplaced or did not receive a packet pick-up email, please email info@btnbig10k.com and a member of the event’s customer service team will resend the email.
Verify your information
We encourage you to verify your race information listed in the packet pickup email. If any of the information is inaccurate you can make corrections by contacting the event office via email at info@btnbig10k.com.
RACE DAY
Gear check
Before the event, you can check small personal items in your event-issued gear check bag. The gear check tent will be open from 5:30 to 10:30 a.m.
About gear check:
• You must check your gear using your event-issued clear plastic bag (participant bag). Please note that the event will not handle oversized bags or luggage.
• To check your gear, remove the gear check tag from your bib number and fasten it to your event-issued clear plastic bag using the instructions provided.
• Do not check valuable items, such as wallets, money, phones or jewelry. The BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items.
• Participants will not be permitted to run with a bag. All personal items must be checked at your assigned gear check tent before the race.
• Do not leave bags unattended within Soldier Field. Unattended bags will be confiscated and removed from the area.
• Bags not claimed by 10:30 a.m. will be taken back to the event organizer’s office (110 N. Wacker Drive) where they can be picked up in person starting Monday, July 15, at 11 a.m. Any items unclaimed by Friday, July 19, 2024, will no longer be available.
Bib number
Your BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV bib number is a unique identifier that must be visible at all times on race day. Your bib number indicates your assigned race.
What you need to know about your bib number:
• Pin all four (4) corners of your bib to the outermost layer of clothing on your chest.
• Your bib must be visible at all times.
• Wearing your bib improperly (pinned at your waist, pinned to race belts or fuel belts etc.) could result in improper scoring and/or disqualification.
• Include your emergency contact and medical information on the back of your bib number.
• Your bib number is non-transferable and must be worn only by you.
• The sale or transfer of your bib number is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
Timing device
You must wear your bib number as instructed above throughout the entirety of the race to record an official finish time and place. A timing device is permanently attached to the back of your bib number. Do not remove the timing strip from your bib, fold or damage it in any way. Your time will be recorded from the point at which you cross the timing mats at the start line until you cross the timing mats at the finish line. The timing device is single-use and does not need to be returned after the event.
Prohibited items
Wheeled devices are not permitted on the 10K or 5K courses by anyone other than registered and authorized wheelchair participants, duo team participants and authorized course marshals on bicycles. Prohibited wheeled devices include unauthorized wheelchairs, baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled devices. Motorized devices of any kind are prohibited.
The use of selfie-sticks, camera mounts or rigs, video devices, computers, drones, unmanned aerial devices, or any similar devices by anyone while participating in the event is prohibited.
The use of music devices is permitted during the race; however, in keeping with USATF rules for championship races, athletes competing for overall awards or prize money may not use music or communication devices during the event.
The use of cell phones, cameras or similar devices by participants while in the event is discouraged, and event officials reserve the right to disqualify any participant using such devices who pose a safety hazard on the course.
Additional prohibited items on the course route include but are not limited to: large bags (backpacks, suitcases and rolling bags), hard-sided coolers, props and non-running equipment, including flagpoles and sticks, pets/animals (except service animals that are trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote controlled aircrafts and drones.
Prohibited items at the event site in Soldier Field include but are not limited to: hard-sided coolers, pets/animals (except service animals that are trained to perform specific work or tasks for a person with a disability), alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, chairs, weapons, remote controlled aircrafts and drones.
Please note, any items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate will be confiscated at the sole discretion of security personnel.
Toilet facilities
Toilet facilities are located throughout Soldier Field. Allow for ample time to get to the start prior to the start of the race.
Aid stations
The event features on-course aid stations offering Gatorade® Endurance Formula (lemon-lime), water, medical support and toilet facilities.
The 10K will have three on-course aid stations and the 5K will have one oncourse aid station.
Course time requirement
Participants must be capable of completing the full distance, start line to finish line, within the event time requirement of 1 hour, 35 minutes (15:00 per mile pace) for the 10K distance and 60 minutes (19:00 per mile pace) for the 5K distance.
Race day results
Results for the BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV will be available on race day on the event website (btnbig10k.com).
Post-Race Tailgate
The BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV Post-Race Tailgate is held near Soldier Field immediately following the finish of the 10K and 5K events from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The Post-Race Tailgate features music, food and beverages, as well as fun tailgate-inspired games like a football toss and corn hole.
Participants will receive their choice of an Greenridge Naturals Smoked Polish Sausage at the Post-Race Tailgate. Participants 21 and older will receive a complimentary Saugatuck Brewing Company beer.
You must be 21 years or older with a valid ID to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages at the Post-Race Tailgate.
Event Alert System
The Event Alert System communicates the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day via email updates, color-coded signs, PA announcements and flags. Alert levels range from Low to Moderate to High to Extreme based primarily on weather conditions, as well as other factors. All participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System before the race, remain alert for directions from race officials throughout the event and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather conditions on race day.
VIRTUAL EVENT INFORMATION
The virtual BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV kicks off on Saturday, July 13 and culminates on Saturday, July 20 as Big Ten fans compete with friends and family in the neighborhoods across the city and around the world.
Virtual race reminders
Everyone is encouraged to read the following considerations when planning their virtual race.
Create a hydration plan for your run to ensure you are drinking enough fluids and utilizing both water and a sports drink to stay hydrated and maintain your sodium levels.
Pay attention to your local weather forecast and dress for the appropriate weather conditions. Note that conditions may change throughout the duration of your run. If conditions don’t look ideal for your race, follow local guidance and consider participating at a later date.
When planning your course route, follow guidance from local government and public health officials to safely complete the distance of your choice in your own community. Participants are encouraged to obey traffic signals and identified pedestrian crossings during their run.
Most importantly, stay within your physical limits and listen to your body during your run. Do not ignore pain and/or discomfort that may result from your participation. If necessary, stop your run and seek medical attention especially if you experience new or persistent symptoms that do not resolve with rest or are abnormal for yourself.
Share your Run
Be sure to post your BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV photos on social media and use #BTNBig10K for a chance to be featured on our event channels. If you haven’t joined our social media community, we encourage you to follow us!
Race results
BTN Big 10K presented by DIRECTV participants can submit their results in their participant account starting on Saturday, July 13.
Below are instructions on how to submit race results.
Submit your results
• Log into your BTN Big 10K participant account.
• Click on “Your Events” in the menu at the top of the page.
• Click on your 2024 BTN Big 10K registration.
• Click “Submit Virtual Activity” on the event page and then select “Log New Activity.”
• Select “Add Manual Activity” or “Add from Wearable.”
Add from a wearable
• Click “Submit Virtual Activity” on the event page.
• Click “Log New Activity” and “Add from Wearable.”
• The data from your device will be displayed. Click “Select” to choose an activity to submit as your results.
• The activity must be for a date within the range of the selected week.
Add a manual activity
• Click “Submit Virtual Activity” on the event page.
• Click on “Log New Activity” and “Add Manual Activity.”
• Enter your time, date you completed the activity, and time of the day you started.
• Each activity you log must correspond with the date range and selected date for which you are trying to enter.
• Click “Submit.”
The deadline to submit race results is 11:59 p.m. (Central Time) on Monday, July 22.
Connect your wearable device to your participant account
There are several wearable devices that are compatible with the tracking in your participant account. Follow the instructions below to connect your device with your account.
• To connect your device, click on “Your Devices” in the menu at the top of the page.
• From there you will be directed to the “Manage” tab, where you can click “Connect” to sync your compatible device with your participant account. Please note, you can only connect the wearable devices include on the page.
• Once you click “Connect,” you will be prompted to log in to your wearable device.
cheers and see you at the finish line, racers!
