Arts Classic Entry Deadline Nears

March 17, 2000

NORMAN, Okla. - Time is running out to pre-register for the sixth annual Arts Classic Run to be held Saturday, March 25 in Norman on the OU campus. In its sixth year, the Classic will feature a half marathon, a 10-kilometer race, a two-mile run/walk, a 10k run/volksmarch, a wheelchair event, two-mle and 10k in-line skating events, and 7- 30- and 43-mile bike tours. Proceeds from the Arts Classic benefit the University of Oklahoma's College of Fine Arts and the Athletic Department.

The first gun will sound at 9:30 a.m. with all of the participants starting from the west side of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Bike tours begin at 9:30 a.m. and skaters start at 9:45 a.m. Wheelchair events begin at 9:55 a.m. with the runners and walkers hitting the course at 10 a.m. The finish line once again for the runners and walkers will be the 50-yard line of Owen Field while the skaters and bicyclists will finish on the paved area around the stadium. The event is presented by KOCO-TV 5 and Sonic, America's Drive-In.

Event organizers are encouraging people who are interested in participating in the Classic to pre-register. The entry fee for those who register by March 24 is $15 for the public and $10 for students. Entry fee on race day is $18 for the public and $15 for students. Entries are race day will be accepted from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. to ensure the events begin on time. The entry fee includes a Arts Classic commemorative T-shirt. The entry fee for the event only (no T-shirt included) is $10 by March 24 and $12 on race day. Pre-registration packets can be picked up from 1-8 p.m. on Friday, March 24, or from 6:30-9 a.m. on race day.

"At this time, we are running 15 percent ahead of where we were a year ago," said Dudley Hyde, race organizer. "We have a goal of 3,000 participants this year and, at this rate, that goal is very reachable. It will help everyone if people register before race day."

In addition to the events of the Classic, there will be a fun and fitness fair to be coordinated by the American Red Cross. Participants at this time include the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, the Oklahoma Blood Institute which will be doing free cholesterol screening, the Red Bud Classic as well as the American Red Cross chapters of Central Oklahoma and Norman.

For the third year, the Arts Classic Run and the Redbud Classic will team together to form "The Classics." A runner who competes in the same race at both events will have the times combined to determine overall and age group champions. The Classic Champions (overall and age group) will receive special prizes. There is no extra fee to be considered for The Classic Champion prizes. A separate entry form and fee are required for the Redbud Classic to be run on April 16.

Organizers emphasize that the bike tour, in its second year as part of the Classic, is just that - a tour and not a race. The 7-mile Fun Town Tour will be conducted as a group with police escort. The 30- and 43-mile tours are road tours over hilly terrain. Rests stops will be provided for the tour participants as well as SAG support. All riders will be required to wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet. Riders are required to obey all traffic laws. Riders will receive participant ribbons, finish bags and will be entered in drawings for bicycling merchandise and gift certificates from Miller's Cycling.

Prizes to be given include first-, second- and third-place awards for male and female in the wheel chair, two mile, 10 kilometer and half marathon events. In addition, the overall male and female winners in the 10 kilometer and half marathon will be given round trip American Airlines tickets to Boston, San Francisco or New York, subject to certain restrictions. Also to be given are overall awards for male and female masters runners and special commemorative medals to the first three male and female runners in race-specific age groups. The two-mile and 10k in-line skating events are non competitive and finishers will receive ribbons. The volksmarch, which is AVA sanctioned, also is non competitive.

For the fourth year, the half marathon is dedicated to the memory of Juli Busken, graduate of the College of Fine Arts. All proceeds from the entry fee for runners in the half marathon will be used to support the Juli Busken Scholarship Fund.

"While we come together and enjoy the fellowship of the day, the bottom line for all of us is to be involved in an activity that transforms the lives of students," said Marvin Lamb, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to use funds generated from the Arts Classic Run to assist worthy students who needed financial assistance. That's what this is all about."

"I share Dean Lamb's belief that we are all involved in this event because it helps transform the lives of students," said Joe Castiglione, director of athletics. "That's what we are all about at the University of Oklahoma. We appreciate the support of those who enter and those who organize the event."

For more information on the Classic, call (405) 325-5173. For more information, including course maps, visit the Classic web site at www.ou.edu/artsclassicrun. Additionally, entry forms are available at all Sonic Drive-Ins in Oklahoma, The Runner in Oklahoma City, Campus Corner merchants, the OU Athletic Department, and the OU College of Fine Arts in Room 122 of the Fred Jones, Jr., Museum of Art on Parrington Oval in Norman.

For accommodations on the basis of disability, call (405) 325-7372.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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