In an effort to bring the McKinley Mile more in line with similar springtime races - the Little 500 at Indiana University and the Grand Prix at Purdue University -ยก- Ball State is beefing up the bike race by adding a second, easier course, as well as inflatables and other activities for bystanders.
This year, 30 teams will participate in the races, more than doubling last year's total of 12. Junior advertising major Lizz Frick of Alpha Omicron Pi will be racing with her sorority in the Benny Dash, a one-mile race that was added this year for more amateur riders.
Frick said her team does not plan on preparing very much for the race besides making T-shirts. The new race awards not only the three fastest riders, but also the best costumes.
"We're just doing the little race so there's not really a lot of pressure," she said. "None of us are really serious bikers."
On the sidelines, people won't just be watching. University Green is providing a fun place to be, offering a street fair full of food stands such as Baskin-Robbins and Carter's Nearly World Famous Hotdogs, inflatables, cornhole, movies, carnival rides and live music.
"There is so much more to do than just the bike race, and it pertains to more than people who like to race bikes," O'Shea said.
There will also be a face painter and booths for sponsor outlets, and WCRD will be doing a live broadcast all day on University Green.
"My favorite part of the McKinley Mile is the street fair and catering to student feedback each year," junior public relations major Justin Friend said. Friend is in charge of the social aspects and helping gain attention for the event.
IU and Purdue host spring races as well, given great notoriety. IU is hosting the Little 500 bike race from April 20-21, drawing audiences of more than 25,000 people. Purdue hosts the Grand Prix go-kart race on April 21.
Both of these events attract people to celebrate all week long. Those in charge of the McKinley Mile feel they could grow the event to attract a similar number in the crowds, but for now they are focused on the community aspects.
"In comparison to Little 500 and Grand Prix, McKinley is a lot smaller but has more sense of community," said Chris Buck, a senior political science major and Lambda Chi Alpha president. "It's the stepping stones to get community involvement."
For the teams, there are four categories: pro, community, student and alumni. Registration will start at 11 a.m. at University Green. The Benny Dash will begin at noon and Cardinal Relay will begin around 1:30 p.m. Festivities held on University Green are free for Ball State students. The rain date for the event is April 14.
This is the fifth year for the race, but it will be the first time that it's hosted by Lambda Chi Alpha. The fraternity has been working with University Program Board and the Office of Student Life to organize the race. It is also co-sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Senior human resources management major Ryan O'Shea, the current IFC vice president of Membership Development, works closely with OSL in their planning and marketing process to assist Lambda Chi Alpha in making this one of the biggest events on campus. O'Shea is also a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, and he gives credit to his brothers for helping increase awareness of the event.
"We have come from a no-name fraternity to one of the more visible chapters on campus," O'Shea said. "We have high quality men that do high quality work."
Beyond Facebook and Twitter promotion efforts, event organizers said the chapter has been diligent in getting teams from around Muncie and Ball State to be a part of this event. They have the support of WCRD, roughly 50,000 alumni, local bike shops, cycling clubs and 100 volunteers. Greek Week is also assisting Lambda Chi Alpha by putting on a service day on Friday to benefit McKinley Mile.
Though this marks the first year Lambda Chi Alpha is in charge of McKinley Mile, this is not their first year being involved in the race.
"Now that Lambda Chi has taken over a lot of the planning again, the race has really seen a lot more interest among the students at Ball State this year," O'Shea said. "It is really amazing to see people getting excited about McKinley Mile."
To show their support to the Muncie community, all proceeds will go to Cardinal Greenways, a 60-mile trail for biking, walking and running, that goes from Marion through Muncie to Richmond. In return, Cardinal Greenways has helped promote the event and raised awareness around the area.
On the sidelines, people won't just be watching. University Green is providing a fun place to be, offering a street fair full of food stands such as Baskin-Robbins and Carter's Nearly World Famous Hotdogs, inflatables, cornhole, movies, carnival rides and live music.
"There is so much more to do than just the bike race, and it pertains to more than people who like to race bikes," O'Shea said.
There will also be a face painter and booths for sponsor outlets, and WCRD will be doing a live broadcast all day on University Green.
"My favorite part of the McKinley Mile is the street fair and catering to student feedback each year," junior public relations major Justin Friend said. Friend is in charge of the social aspects and helping gain attention for the event.
IU and Purdue host spring races as well, given great notoriety. IU is hosting the Little 500 bike race from April 20-21, drawing audiences of more than 25,000 people. Purdue hosts the Grand Prix go-kart race on April 21.
Both of these events attract people to celebrate all week long. Those in charge of the McKinley Mile feel they could grow the event to attract a similar number in the crowds, but for now they are focused on the community aspects.
"In comparison to Little 500 and Grand Prix, McKinley is a lot smaller but has more sense of community," said Chris Buck, a senior political science major and Lambda Chi Alpha president. "It's the stepping stones to get community involvement."
For the teams, there are four categories: pro, community, student and alumni. Registration will start at 11 a.m. at University Green. The Benny Dash will begin at noon and Cardinal Relay will begin around 1:30 p.m. Festivities held on University Green are free for Ball State students. The rain date for the event is April 14.
Senior geography major Lance Watkins said he pictures the event being even bigger in the future.
"McKinley Mile has always been one of those fun, exciting events associated with Ball State," he said. "It's great to see it grow and to be a part of that growth. It's also nice to see that the money being raised is going to benefit the Cardinal Greenway. There is going to be plenty of fun activities and it's sure to be an awesome time."
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