Ryan Sullivan, June 8, 2015

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CHICAGO - BTN is bringing Eddie George, Heisman Trophy winner and former Ohio State Buckeye and Tennessee Titans running back, to the 2015 BTN Big 10K, a 10K and 5K race set in Chicago July 25. George will be the Grand Marshal of the event.

George will give a pep talk to runners before both the 10K and 5K races and also will present awards to the top finishers. At the post-race Big Ten tailgate party, George will be available for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with fans.

?Last year, the Big Ten showed we are the best in college football and now it?s time to celebrate,? George said. ?I want all Big Ten fans to come to Chicago to run in the BTN Big 10K and then join me afterward for the summer?s best tailgate party. Let?s bring on another Big Ten football season in style.?

The event will be held just before Big Ten Media Days, which officially kicks off the 2015 football season.

Also appearing at the tailgate and races will be several BTN analysts, including former Illini standout and two-time Super Bowl Champion Howard Griffith, Ohio State's Stanley Jackson and Michigan's Marcus Ray. The popular Big Ten mascots and cheerleaders also will be on hand.

Now in its fourth year, the BTN Big 10K has become one of the top 15 largest 10k's after only three years - drawing fans from 48 states and eight countries last year - and BTN again expects runners from across the country for the 2015 event. The race entry fee is $48 for the 10K and $38 for the 5K distances through July 15.

A unique feature of the race is university-specific shirts for participants. Runners who register by July 1 will receive a gender-specific, sized technical race shirt corresponding to the Big Ten university of their choice. After July 1, inventory is not guaranteed, as not all school options may be available, so early registration is suggested.

After runners compete on 10K and 5K courses beginning at Soldier Field and winding along the lakefront, they will finish inside a huge tailgate party, featuring music and football-themed activities such as corn hole, field-goal kicking and the 40-yard dash.

Special Olympics Chicago is the race?s charitable partner. Fleet Feet Sports is producing the event for the fourth straight year and additionally managing all aspects of the event in 2015.