Elite Club Competition
The 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K will once again host an Elite Club Competition as part of the 36,000-participant race. The Elite Club Competition will feature the top local and regional USATF-member running clubs and racing teams competing head-to-head for $15,000 in prize money.
Last year’s Elite Club Competition featured 24 elite teams from six states. The field of elite club runners included U.S. Olympians and World Championship qualifiers, U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers, and NCAA All-Americans. The men’s team champion was the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project from Rochester Hills, Mich.; the women’s team champion was the Fleet Feet-Nike Racing Team from Chicago.
Divisions and Scoring
Awards and Prize Money
Qualifications and Eligibility
Registration
Additional Amenities
Divisions and Scoring
In conjunction with the 8K race, Elite Clubs will compete in two separate divisions—men’s and women’s—and can enter a maximum of five (5) runners per team. Men’s teams must enter a minimum of four (4) runners, and women’s teams must enter a minimum of three (3) runners. In the men’s division, the top four (4) finishers will count toward team scoring; in the women’s division, the top three (3) finishers will count toward team scoring. The teams with the lowest combined finish time among their scoring runners will be declared the winning teams. Clock time (gun time) will be the official recorded time for all Elite Club participants.
Awards and Prize Money
A trophy will be presented to the overall team champions, and prize money* will be awarded to the top five (5) men’s and women’s teams as follows.
Men’s Teams/Women’s Teams
1st $2,500
2nd $2,000
3rd $1,500
4th $1,000
5th $500
*Prize money will be paid to the club/organization.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Eligibility for the Elite Club Competition is based on USATF Club Competition Rules. All participating clubs must be registered with USATF for 2010, and all athletes entering as part of a club must be affiliated with that club as part of their current USATF membership. For questions regarding USATF membership or to purchase/re-new a membership, please visit usatf.org or contact your local USATF association.
In order to be considered an Elite Club, team members must meet the minimum “Elite” qualifying standards set forth by the event. Exceptions can be made for one or more team members at the discretion of the event.
Elite qualifying standards*:
Men: 16:30 5K, 27:00 8K, 34:00 10K; 1:15:00 Half Marathon; 2:40:00 Marathon
Women: 19:00 5K, 31:00 8K, 39:00 10K; 1:25:00 Half Marathon; 3:05:00 Marathon
*Participants will be asked to verify their qualifying times prior to registration by sending proof of performance in the form of an official finisher certificate or Web link to official race result.
If a club or individual does not meet the qualifications for the Elite Club Competition, they can participate in the general Team Competition or as individuals. Only teams in the Elite Club Competition will be eligible for prize money and amenities.
Registration
Club members can register individually or together as a team (see below). All club members must pay the standard $45 registration fee. There is no additional cost to participate in the Elite Club Competition. Registration for the 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle will open on January 1, and will close when the field reaches its maximum capacity of 36,000 participants. Elite Clubs will be granted an extended registration deadline of Friday, March 12. Entries for the Elite Club Competition will not be accepted and cannot be altered after March 12.
To register your club, please contact Jeremy Borling at jeremy.borling@bankofamerica.com or 312-992-6614. Upon acceptance into the Elite Club Competition, your club will be provided with a unique Active.com registration link to register your team members online.
Additional Amenities
All Elite Club participants will receive a “Elite” start position at the front of the field. Elite Clubs will have access to a secure tented area in close proximity to the start/finish area with secure gear check, restroom facilities, water and Gatorade.