BTN

Event rules are applicable to all participants

The following Event rules are intended to help produce and direct a large-scale Event, to ensure the safety of all participants, to meet the requirements of local government permits and any applicable governmental orders or restrictions and to be compliant with applicable USA Track & Field (USATF) and World Athletics regulations for participant performance records and Event liability.

PARTICIPATION

Registrants 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.
To register, participants must be 8 years of age or older on Event Day.
Each participant must sign an event waiver before participating in the event. Registrants under 18 years of age must have an applicant wavier signed by a parent or legal guardian.
The Event time requirement and age minimum apply to all forms of entry and Event participation.
Any participant seeking accommodation in respect of a disability must submit a written request to the Event Registration Manager. E-mail your request to info@btnbig10k.com.
Participant Event bib numbers and timing devices are specific personal identifiers and may not be exchanged with or transferred/sold to any other person. Sale, trade and/or transfer of race entry/bibs and timing devices are strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from future Events.
The BTN Big 10K, 5K, and post-race Tailgate maintains a no refund, no transfer, and no deferment policy on all race entries, ancillary products, and other offers.
Capacity is subject to change at the discretion of Event and government officials. In the event that capacity is reduced after registration is complete,

PACKET (BIB NUMBER) PICK-UP

Participants must pick up their packets at Packet Pick-Up during regularly scheduled hours.
A valid Bib Confirmation e-mail and valid Photo ID is required to pick up a Participant Packet (Bib number, Timing Device, Safety pins, gear check bag, tag & fastener, and T-Shirt)
Participant Packets and Bags are only available for pick up at Packet Pick-Up. Participants who select and pay the mailing fee at the point of registration will have their Participant Packet mailed. There will be no on-site packet pick-up the day of the event. All packets must be obtained in advance.
Individuals will be able to pick up Participant Packets on behalf of others, as long as the appropriate Bib Confirmation e-mail and permission is provided by the individual.
Event attendees who are sick should not attend Packet Pick-Up.
- This includes Event attendees who:
  - Have a suspected or diagnosed/confirmed case of COVID-19
  - Are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, such as: cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell
Participants may be subjected to screening prior to attending Packet pick-up including but not limited to questionnaires and other health inquiries as required by state, local or other health authorities.

PARTICIPANT CONDUCT & SAFETY

Participants must follow instructions as given from all event officials including Event staff, volunteers, medical personnel, fire and police officials, security officers and city officials throughout the duration of the event.
Event attendees must adhere to Event, city, state and other public health guidelines and orders.
Event attendees who are sick should not attend the Event.
- This includes Event attendees who:
  - Have a suspected or diagnosed/confirmed case of COVID-19
  - Are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, such as: cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell
- Event participants who will not attend the Event due to COVID-19 sickness should notify the Event organizers at info@btnbig10k.com to discuss entry cancellation options.
All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner towards the community and their fellow participants during their participation in the event. This means, for example, alcohol consumption, urinating or defecating in public except in designated toilet facilities, and participant obstruction anywhere on or near the course shall be strictly prohibited unless facilitated by the event. Anyone violating these rules of conduct shall be disqualified from the event and will be asked to leave the course.
Every participant shall be provided with an event bib number, which shall be conspicuously worn on the front (and back when applicable) of the participant’s outermost layer during the event. The event bib number is to be worn as issued. No participant shall be permitted to participate in the event without the appropriate bib number for the live event and distance that they purchased.
The use of music devices (e.g. iPods) is permitted during the race; however, athletes competing for overall awards or prize money may not use music or communication devices during the race. The use of cell phones, video devices, cameras or similar devices by participants while in the event is strongly discouraged, and event officials reserve the right to disqualify any participant using such devices who poses a safety hazard on the course.
The use of selfie-sticks and any camera mount or rig by participants while in the Event, is prohibited.
The use of video devices, computers, drones, unmanned aerial devices, or any similar devices are not permitted on or near the course.
The use of wheeled devices by participants or any other person authorized to be on the course shall be strictly limited to (a) authorized course officials and (b) authorized course marshals on bicycles. Baby joggers, strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, unauthorized bicycles or any other wheeled device will not be permitted 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, costumes covering the full face (except face coverings if mandated by governmental order), any non-forming bulky outfits extending beyond the perimeter of the body 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.
Participants are advised for health reasons, and to protect the safety of other competitors, not to consume alcohol while running. They must abide by all City of Chicago alcohol use rules and regulations. The Event reserves the right to disqualify any runner who poses a risk to themselves or others.
Participants must begin the event during the official recognized starting times. The course will remain secured until the Official End Cyclist crosses the finish line. At that time, the event is officially concluded, there will be no traffic protection and course Aid Stations will cease operation.
Medical personnel authorized by the event to do so may examine any participant who appears in distress. If in the sole opinion of authorized medical personnel, it is in the best interest of the participant’s health and welfare, medical personnel may remove a participant from the event.
Participants must retire at once from the race if ordered to do so by a member of the event staff, medical staff, or any governmental authority, including fire and police officers.
Participants are responsible and assume liability for any and all medical expenses incurred as a result of training for and/or participation in the event, including but not limited to ambulance transport, hospital stays, physician and pharmaceutical goods and services.
Event officials reserve the right to delay, cancel or suspend the race due to inclement weather in accordance with Emergency Protocol on severe emergencies and/or weather.
Participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System (EAS) and adjust their race plans accordingly.
Participants are responsible for the recognition and understanding of event signage, symbols and colors relating to participant warnings, maps facilities and directions.

THE START

All participants are responsible for knowing the race’s start time and check-in method for their event distance. All participants must be present at the appointed time to receive instructions and to participate in the Official Start of the race.
Participants shall assemble for the race no less than 15 minutes prior to the race start. Any athlete attempting to enter late shall be required to start after all other participants have crossed the start line.
All participants must enter at the designated entry points. Any person who climbs the fence or otherwise enters improperly will be disqualified from the event.
All participants must be positioned behind the Official Start line and timing mat prior to the race start.

COURSE MONITORING

Any participant who refuses to obey the directions of event officials, including fire and police officials, city officials or course marshals, or who conducts themselves in an unsportsmanlike manner, or who is offensive by action or language to officials, volunteers, participants or spectators may be disqualified by the event and from future participation at the discretion of race officials.
No participant, after leaving the course, shall be allowed to rejoin the race either for the purpose of gaining a place or to pace or to assist another participant.
Any participant who has been found by a course marshal, event official or surveillance equipment to have gained an unfair advantage by intentionally shortening the race route (“cutting the course”) shall be immediately disqualified from the event.
A participant who has received any assistance whatsoever from any other person may be disqualified by the event. “Assistance” includes without limitation the conveying of advice, information or direct or indirect help to an athlete by any means, including electronic communication devices. It also includes pacing by persons not officially participating in the event. It does not include participation of an officially designated pacesetter in the race, provided such pacesetters start in the event.
Any person who participates in the event without a current official event bib number or timing device, or a bib number or timing device not officially assigned to them, is subject to removal and disqualification from future events.
No persons are authorized to be on the course unless they are registered participants for the live event. Therefore, no person shall be allowed to accompany a participant if he/she is not registered in the live event, nor shall any participant be allowed, without the permission of the event management, to receive assistance or refreshment from anyone during the progress of the event. Any person not properly displaying an authorized and issued bib number shall be directed to leave the course.
A hands-on medical examination during the progress of an event by officially designated medical personnel shall not be considered assistance and will not result in disqualification if participant is deemed medically fit.

RESULT TIMING

All participants are assigned an electronic timing device prior to the Event which is attached to their bib.
Participants are responsible for the proper use and application of their assigned timing device. Instructions on proper use and application of the timing device are provided on the packet and the Event website.
Participants must wear their assigned timing device, which is permanently attached to their bib number, continuously from start line to finish line to receive an accurate finish time.
Participant net times greater than the 10K event time requirement (1 hour, 35 minutes) will not be recognized as official.

TIMING DISQUALIFICATION

Participants found to be wearing two or more event-issued electronic timing devices during the race will be disqualified and their results will not be recorded.
Participants with missing or irregular split times at official electronic timing checkpoints will be reviewed and may be disqualified.
All participant finish times are reviewed before times are designated official.
Participants must begin the event during the official recognized starting time in order to register an official course completion time.

AWARDS

The use of music devices (e.g. iPods, mobile phones) is permitted during the race; however, athletes competing for overall awards or prize money may not use music or communication devices during the race.
Clock time (gun time) is the official time for determining 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall place awards in both races.

Overall Top Five for 10K

Awards & cash prizes are presented to the top five male & female 10K finishers overall.

1st Place: $500

2nd Place: $400

3rd Place: $300

4th Place: $200

5th Place: $100

Big Ten Bonus Prize

The Big Ten Bonus Prize will be given to each of the first three male & female 10K finishers who are a current or former student at a Big Ten University*. It will be awarded in addition to any other winnings.

1st Big Ten Alumni: $500

2nd Big Ten Alumni: $400

3rd Big Ten Alumni: $300

Prize Money and Awards

In accordance with World Athletics and USATF sanctions, athletes are subject to anti-doping rules. An anti-doping rule violation occurring during or in connection with the event may lead to disqualification of the athletes’ individual results, including forfeiture of all awards, points and prizes.
All finish times and placements are reviewed and deemed official before cash awards are distributed.
Any U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be required to pay taxes on the gross amount. W-9 forms with a Social Security Number or Tax ID and signature are required by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Any non-U.S. citizen who qualifies for prize money may be subject to Income Tax withholding, which will be deducted from the prize money as required by the United States IRS.
Participants may compete in the gender category with which they identify without any need for disclosure of information or other requirements.
Athletes who qualify for prize money or other awards will be required after the race to provide a copy of a government-issued photo ID to verify age and gender information in keeping with applicable USATF rules and may be required to supply additional information in keeping with USATF rules.

**In accordance with NCAA compliance regulations. It is the athlete’s responsibility to check with their institution’s compliance department to confirm any changes to NCAA rules that may make them eligible to receive prize money and/or awards.*

**In accordance with the NCAA, current student athletes are ineligible from claiming any prizes.

EXCEPTIONS

Any individual requesting a waiver of any of these rules from the event shall submit a written request no less than 30 days prior to the event date specifying the nature of and reasons for the request.

Rules & Guidelines