24th Annual Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 5K and 2.5K Open Water Long Distance Swim Classic

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Registration Schedule

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Registration for 2015 will open on March 1, 2015

***Great Lakes Open Water Swimming Series Event***

Saturday, September 6, 2014, 8:00 AM at Ohio Street Beach, Chicago

Sanctioned by Illinois Masters Swimming Association for USMS, Inc. # 214-W002

TIME: 8:00 AM start for first wave of 5K Swim. 8:20 AM start for first wave of 2.5K Swim. Checkin begins at 6:30 AM. Course Briefing at 7:40 AM. Waves seeded by time for 1st heat, then by age and distance.

COURSE/TIMING: Triangular 2.5K course; marked both by buoys and lifeguards in row boats. (Click to go to website with course map and aerial view of course.) Swimmers start in the water, and finish with a run up the beach. Water temps have varied between 63-80°F. Chip timing system used ($25 fee for failing to return Chip).

PARKING: Discounted Parking is available at Navy Pier. Bring your parking stub to the registration table for a validation stamp.

QUESTIONS? Check out www.bigshoulders.org, call Scott at 630-408-8884, or email at bigshoulders2013@yahoo.com

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Register for the race online for speed, accuracy and email receipt.  No mail in registration offered.

ELITE WAVE: The 50 fastest seed times provided for the 5K will swim in the Elite Wave of the 5K that starts first.

USMS REGISTRATION: You must be a USMS member (or international equivalent) to compete in Big Shoulders. Online race registration begins with USMS membership verification. Cost for an annual membership is $42.00. You may join or renew USMS membership using the links in Big Shoulders event registration. One Event Membership to USMS is available for $15.

RACE DAY ENTRIES: Race Day Entries are no longer available. Race has sold out the past 2 years. There will be no refunds, no waitlist, no deferrals, no transfers and no whining.

REFUNDS: As noted above, no refunds, no deferrals, no transfers, no whining.

RULES: All swimmers are required to wear the supplied fluorescent swim caps for safety reasons. Current USMS Open Water rules will apply. (Those with a latex allergy, contact the race administrator for alternate options).

ENTRY LIMITS / FEES:
Registration for the 5K will close when entries reach 800.
Registration for the 2.5K will close when entries reach 400.
There will be no waitlists.
5K Entry Fee is $70.00 if received by 4/30/2014; $80.00 from 5/1/2014 to 6/30/2014; $90.00 on and after 7/1/2014.
2.5K Fee is $70.00 if received by 4/30/2014; $80.00 from 5/1/2014 to 6/30/2014; $90.00 on and after 7/1/2014.

NOTE – Registration fee does not include USMS membership fees.
NO REFUNDS/TRANSFERS/DEFERRALS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON!
All participants will receive a goody bag at the race, which in past years has included water bottles, swimming products, etc. An assortment of pre and post race food and drink will be available to participants also.

T-SHIRTS, HOODIES, WATER BOTTLES:

• One high quality collectible shirt is included with entry fee! Extra shirts may be purchased for an additional $15.00.
• Hoodies available during online entry for $35.
• Polar water bottle, 24oz with Big Shoulders logo, available during online entry for $10.
• FINIS swimwear available in female "Skinback" and "Openback" and male "brief" and "jammer".
• To purchase Big Shoulders merchandise without event entry (t-shirts, hoodies, swimsuits, water bottle), click here.

WETSUITS: Swimmers wearing wetsuits are welcome to register in the Wetsuit Division, but may be started in a different wave and will not be tabulated with the age group swimmers who do not wear wetsuits. However, swimmers wearing any suits approved by USMS will be permitted to swim and be tabulated with the age group swimmers.

Angel Swimmers: Available for only for the 2.5K. Angel Swimmers are experienced open water swimmers who will accompany you around the course to provide advice and comfort. However, they are not trained lifesavers.

AWARDS & RESULTS: Each finisher will receive a finisher’s medal. Results will be posted on the internet at www.bigshoulders.org. Wetsuit swimmers are scored for top three male and female overall.

LODGING: Courtyard by Marriott - Magnificent Mile has once again carved out a block of rooms at the discount rate of $164/nt. for Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. The hotel is 3 blocks from the race start, and in a great area for restaurants, site seeing and shopping. To reserve a room call 1-800-321-2211 and reference the Big Shoulders block, or code BST.

DIRECTIONS: Race begins at Ohio Street Beach. To access Ohio Street Beach, exit Lake Shore Drive from either north or south at the Grand/Illinois exit and head east towards the lake. Park at Navy Pier.

COURSE MAP: Map shows course used for the past several years. One lap around the course is 2.5K, two laps is 5K. Course is subject to change depending upon race day conditions.

Note: If paying by credit card, your credit card statement will reflect a charge from "BIGS SWIM."