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windshell
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Joined: 15 Nov 2006
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 Posted: 03/24/07 - 07:40 Post subject: Over 30,000 expected at The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K
The largest field ever in the race's history, 30,000 participants, will race the LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, March 25.
Weekend festivities begin with the LaSalle Bank Health and Fitness Expo on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24. The Expo will be held at Navy Pier from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. More than 80 exhibitors, including Chicago Athlete, will be on hand. All registered participants must pick up their race packets at the expo; there is no race-day packet pickup. A shuttle to Navy Pier will be available for Expo visitors free from the El stop at State and Lake. (Click here for more information about the Expo.)
The race will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. The 8K (4.96-mile) course starts on Columbus Drive just south of Jackson Boulevard. Runners will travel over the Chicago River and north to Grand Avenue. They will run south along historic State Street, then head east to cross the river via Jackson Boulevard and Van Buren Street. Finally, the course takes runners south along South Michigan Avenue and back into Grant Park for a finish on Columbus Drive. A 5K fitness walk will begin at 10 a.m.
Top national and international talent will compete again this year. Contenders for winning male include returning LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle champio n Chad Johnson (bib #1), Clint Verran (bib #3), Nick Archiniaga (bib #4 3), Daniel Cheruiyot (bib #44), Ryan Sheehan (bib #45), Jeff Gaudette (bib #46), Josh Moen (bib #47), Kyle O'Brien (bib #48'), Patrick Rizzo (bib #49), Matt Downin (bib #1436) and Luke Watson (bib #1437). In the women's competition, watch out for Russian Olga Romanova (bib #2) and local favorite Jenny Spangler (bib #1425).
A post-race party in G rant Park will feature music from local favorites Maggie Speaks and Mike & Joe. T he post-race party is open to the public. Food will be available for pur chase from the Park Grill. Race participants 21 and older can use the coupon on their bib number for one free beer.
Several downtown roads will be closed to a ccommodate runners. Visit www.shamrockshuffle.com to view street closures and for more information about the race.
After the race, visit our results site for your race results. Check back frequently for complete coverage of race weekend.
Source: chicagoaa.com
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