Crazylegs Classic

🏃‍♂️ Crazylegs Classic Overview

The last Saturday of April each spring, over 10,000 Badgers descend downtown State Street to kick off the Crazylegs Classic.

🎉 Event History

• Inception: The idea for this event was hatched in late 1981 by three Badger loyalists at a campus bar.
• Founders: The three, Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus, wanted to raise money to support UW Athletics.
• Name Origin: They asked Elroy Hirsch’s permission to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor.
• First Race: The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500.

📈 Growth and Participation

• Popularity: The event grew in popularity and the walk was added in 1987 with 676 walkers the first year.
• Record Attendance: The event has grown substantially reaching a record high of 20,415 in 2010.
• Legacy: Since the inaugural race 43 years ago, it has attracted over 354,000 runners and walkers.
• Tradition: The Crazylegs Classic has become a time-honored tradition of the University of Wisconsin and a much-anticipated event to kickoff spring in the Madison community.

📅 Registration Information

Register by March 23, 2026 to guarantee your t-shirt size.

🌐 Additional Details

For more information, please visit the official Crazylegs Classic website.