Crazylegs Classic

Event Overview

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

History

Not surprisingly, the idea for this event was hatched in late 1981 by three Badger loyalists at a campus bar. The three, Tom Grantham, Ken Sparks, and Rich Backus, wanted to raise money to support UW Athletics. As admirers of then-Athletic Director Elroy Hirsch, they asked his permission to name it the "Crazylegs Run" in his honor.

Growth and Participation

• First Race: The first race in 1982 attracted 1,525 runners and raised $9,500.
• Walk Addition: The walk was added in 1987 with 676 walkers the first year.
• Record Participation: The event has grown substantially reaching a record high of 20,415 in 2010.
• Total Attendance: Since the inaugural race 43 years ago, it has attracted over 354,000 runners and walkers.

Tradition and Community

The Crazylegs Classic has become a time-honored tradition of the University of Wisconsin, as well as a much-anticipated event to kickoff spring in the Madison community.

Registration Information

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

Event Details

Crazylegs Classic Registration