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+--- Thread: Registration Closes for Shamrock Shuffle 8K (/Thread-Registration-Closes-for-Shamrock-Shuffle-8K)
Registration Closes for Shamrock Shuffle 8K - TheEd - 15-02-2011
CHICAGO - Registration for the 2011 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K, the world's largest 8-kilometer road race, closed yesterday when the 40,000-participant capacity was reached, marking the largest field of registrants in the event's 32-year history. Two dollars from each entry, along with a dollar-for-dollar match by Bank of America, will be donated to benefit Chicago-based youth fitness initiatives. Registration for the April 10 event opened on January 1.
"The popularity of the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K continues to grow and we're excited to welcome the largest participant field ever," said Bank of America Chicago and Illinois Market President Tim Maloney. "This is truly a Chicago event with more than 90 percent of the participants hailing from the city and suburbs, making for a great yearly tradition of fitness enthusiasts celebrating-what we hope will be-the arrival of spring with their family, friends and neighbors."
A limited number of entries into the sold-out event can still be obtained through the event's charity program. Interested runners have the opportunity to sign up through one of the following non-profit organizations that are building teams of charity runners: American Cancer Society, American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, The Chicago Diabetes Project, Imerman Angels, Opportunity Enterprises, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Team to End AIDS and Team World Vision. Information on the charity program and charity contact information is available at shamrockshuffle.com.
The event capacity was successfully increased to 40,000 participants this year, a growth of 4,000 from the previous year. In the past 10 years, the number of registered runners has more than doubled from less than 18,000 in 2001. Plans to accommodate the record field size include a new Seeded Start Corral system that will enable runners to line up alongside those with the same expected pace per mile, helping control the flow of runners across the start line and minimizing runner traffic on the race course.
Long recognized as an annual rite of spring and the kick-off to the outdoor running season in Chicago, the 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 the intersection of Columbus Dr. and Monroe St. at 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 10, and will conclude with live musical entertainment at the traditional Post-Race Party in Grant Park.
In advance of the event, the two-day Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Health & Fitness Expo will take place at Navy Pier on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 featuring more than 75 industry-related exhibitors. The Health & Fitness Expo is free and open to the public.