BTN Communications, July 10, 2024

The Big Ten Network today named Chicago Bears wide receiver and University of Washington graduate Rome Odunze as the Grand Marshal of the 2024 BTN Big 10K Presented by DIRECTV.

The 13th annual BTN Big 10K Presented by DIRECTV returns to Soldier Field on Saturday, July 13. New this year, fans and alumni of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington will have the opportunity to participate in both the 10K and 5K. The top five male and female 10K finishers overall will receive a cash prize. In addition, there will be a Big Ten Bonus Prize for the top three male & female 10K finishers who are a current or former student at a Big Ten university.

Odunze, selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Bears, played four years at Washington (2020-23), totaling 3,272 career receiving yards and scoring 26 career touchdowns. During the 2023 season, Odunze was one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award and set a school record for receiving yards in a season (1,640), good for the most in the nation. Odunze was a consensus first-team All-American last year and his 92 receptions in 2023 were the second-most in a season in Washington history.

Post-race festivities will include food and beverages, music, games, giveaways and photo opportunities with Big Ten mascots and cheerleaders. The Chicago-based Big Ten Alumni chapters will also be on hand to give away school-specific swag to their fans and alumni.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children's Charities are the official charity partners for the 2024 BTN Big 10K Presented by DIRECTV.

To register for the race and learn more about the event, visit btnbig10K.com.