BIGSHOULDERS RACE TIME
8:00 A.M. start for first wave of 5K Swim; 8:15 A.M. start for first wave of 2.5K Swim.  Check-in for both events begins at 6:30 A.M. Course Briefing at 7:40 A.M.  Waves seeded by age and distance.  Wetsuits and entries received after September 6th will be in a separate heat

PLACE
Ohio Street Beach, Chicago (directions)

REGISTRATION
The 2010 entry form can be downloaded here in Adobe Acrobat format.  Just click, save, print, fill it out, and send it to us.

Online registration is available at http://www.clubassistant.com/bigshoulders

COURSE AND TIMING
Triangular 2.5K course; marked by buoys and lifeguards in row boats. (See map in "Stuff for Swimmers" section) Swimmers start in the water, and finish with a run up the beach. Water temperatures have varied between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  ChampionChip 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.

USMS REGISTRATION
You must be a USMS member, or a member of a foreign Masters Swimming Association, to compete in Big Shoulders.  Online race registration for a completed entry begins with USMS membership verification. Cost for an annual membership is $37.00.

JOIN USMS ON SEPT 2, 2010
For swimmers interested in participating in Big Shoulders, but who won't need to join USMS before the race, Illinois Masters offers a reduced membership fee after Sept. 1, 2010 ($27.00).  You may register online now for Big Shoulders, but select "Non-USMS" as your path of registration, in which USMS membership is temporarily not required.   You will then need to obtain a late year USMS membership on September 2nd, which will be automatically verified with the Big Shoulders-ClubAssistant-USMS verification tool.  Failure to become a USMS member before SEPT. 5, 2010 will result in forfeiture of your Big Shoulders entry, with no refund.  Please also note, you must bring a copy of your USMS card to show at the race check in. USMS registration form is available at www.bigshoulders.org, or you can register at www.clubassistant.com/club/usms.cfm.

RACE DAY ENTRIES:
RACE DAY ENTRIES WILL BE PERMITTED IF SPACE PERMITS. YOU MUST BRING YOUR USMS REGISTRATION CARD AND PAY THE $75.00 LATE ENTRY FEE.

RULES
All swimmers are required to wear the supplied fluorescent swim caps for safety reasons.  Current USMS rules will apply.

ENTRY LIMIT/FEE: 
Registration will close when entries reach 800 total. Fee is $55.00 if received by 8/15/2010; $65.00 from 8/16/2010 to 9/8/2010; $75.00 for day of race registration. NOTE – Registration fee does not include USMS registration fees. Make check for entry fees payable to CHICAGO MASTERS SWIM CLUB. NO REFUNDS 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.

T-SHIRTS: 
One high quality collectable shirt included with entry fee!  Extra shirts may be purchased for an additional $15.00.  Please indicate size and quantity on entry form.

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 suit approved by USMS will be permitted to swim and be tabulated with the age group swimmers. 

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

ACCOMMODATIONS
BigShoulders makes arrangements with local hotels to obtain group rates.  Check back again later for discounted places to stay near the event.

QUESTIONS
Call Scott at 630-408-8884, or email Chris at bigshoulders2010@yahoo.com

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