Running: UW's Crazylegs Classic celebrates its 35th edition

STEVE APPS -- State Journal archivesEven though Tom Grantham will survey the Crazylegs Classic course from the driver’s seat of a pace car, his excitement hasn’t diminished for the event.

Competitors and officials will celebrate the 35th annual event today with the 8-kilometer run, named in honor of former Badgers football player and athletic director Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch and held as a fundraiser for the University of Wisconsin athletic department. Grantham, the general chairman and one of the race’s founders, has competed in or been present for every single Crazylegs.

The first edition of Crazylegs in 1982 drew 1,525 runners and raised $9,500. A 2-mile walk was added to the festivities…