Run Big in the city of big shoulders.
Size doesn't matter; you don't have to be thin to be fit
what is a Clydesdale?

RUN BIG CHICAGO is Chicago's running, fitness, and multisport club for Clydesdale athletes. The club promotes the interests of club members by promoting weight division competitions at local races, fostering interaction, support, and encouragement among athletes, and providing a forum of discussion of topics of special interest to Clydesdale athletes.

This club is for everyone who runs, walks, or participates in multisport events and is classified as a Clydesdale athlete. For men, athletes who are over 170 lbs are considered “Clydesdales”; for women, anyone over 135 pounds is eligible to compete as “Clydesdale or Athena”.

Club Benefits

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Participate in the club’s effort to promote, establish, organize and administer weight division competition at area events. We believe that all events should recognize the larger athletes that already compete in their events—and give us t he recognition we deserve

What is a Clydesdale?
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Weight Division Competition is the fastest growing segment in endurance sports.  RUNBIG Chicago continues the efforts of Joe Law, the founder of the Clydesdale Runners Association, on educating athletes and race directors about the relationship between age, weight and performance in endurance sports. 

The philosophy behind Weight Division or Clydesdale competition is simple: big athletes may never finish first in a race, but they are excellent athletes among their peers and deserve to be recognized for their efforts and accomplishments.  Athletes excel when allowed to compete on a level playing field. "Age Group" categories are now universally accepted.  “Clydesdale” categories were created to recognize big athletes.  Now RunBig Chicago takes running, fitness and multisport for the big athlete into the new millennium!

RunBig Chicago weight divisions for road races match the catagories established in 1993 for the

Age and Weight Divisions (open and masters)

MEN - A (170-184) B (185-199) C (200-224) D (225+ lbs.)
WOMEN - A (135-144) B (145-154) C (155-169) D (170+ lbs.)

Regardles of the specific weight divisions, any race which recognizes Clydesdale athletes that offers weight division competion is applauded for the recognition given to the larger athletes who are competing in the event.