CHICAGO — Fresh off leading the Indiana University Hoosiers to their first-ever college football national championship, star alumni Omar Cooper Jr. and Pat Coogan are heading to the Windy City to headline one of the summer’s biggest Big Ten events.
The Big Ten Network (BTN) announced Thursday that Cooper and Coogan will serve as the official grand marshals for the 15th annual BTN Big 10K. The highly anticipated event returns to Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday, July 11, 2026, featuring both an in-person 10K and 5K race along the iconic lakefront path.
According to race organizers, registration is already pacing at historic levels, with the event rapidly approaching a sellout for the second consecutive year.
From Bloomington to the Big Stage
The selection of Coogan and Cooper celebrates a historic era for IU football. Both players were instrumental in the Hoosiers’ undefeated 16-0 championship run during the 2025–2026 season before being selected in April’s NFL Draft.
- Omar Cooper Jr. (WR): A graduate of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Cooper concluded a stellar four-year career in Bloomington by leading the Hoosier receiving corps. During the championship campaign, he hauled in 69 receptions for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. His dominant performance caught the attention of professional scouts, leading to his first-round selection by the New York Jets.
- Pat Coogan (C): Anchoring the Hoosiers’ elite offensive line, Coogan started all 16 games at center last season. He capped off his collegiate career by earning Second-Team All-Big Ten accolades and making history at the Rose Bowl, where he was named the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP—becoming the first offensive lineman to take home the prestigious honor since 1944. Coogan was drafted in the sixth round by the Tennessee Titans.
Race Day Logistics and Post-Race Tailgate
The BTN Big 10K acts as the unofficial kickoff to the upcoming college football season, bringing together more than 10,000 alumni and sports fans. Runners traditionally wear their favorite university colors, and registration packages include school-specific tech shirts and custom finisher medals.
The event schedule for Saturday, July 11, is structured as follows:
| Event | Start Time | Location |
| 10K Race | 7:00 a.m. | Soldier Field / Lake Shore Drive |
| 5K Race / Walk | 8:15 a.m. | Soldier Field / Lake Shore Drive |
| Post-Race Tailgate | 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Fan Fest Area (Near Soldier Field) |
Organizers note that there will be no race-day packet pickup; participants must gather their materials at the Roosevelt Collection (150 W. Roosevelt Road) on July 9 or 10. Due to heavy traffic congestion and street closures along South Lake Shore Drive, public transit via Metra or the CTA is strongly recommended.
Following the finish line, the celebration transitions into a massive Big Ten Tailgate party. The event will feature live music, interactive football toss and cornhole games, food, beverages, and photo opportunities with official Big Ten mascots and cheerleaders. Chicago-based alumni chapters will also be stationed across the venue to hand out school-specific swag to fans. Additionally, cash prizes will be awarded to the top five overall male and female finishers in the 10K bracket.
Running for a Cause
The official charity partner of the 2026 race is Special Children’s Charities. Founded in Chicago in 1969, the organization acts as the primary driving force behind Special Olympics Illinois programs within the city. Special Children’s Charities funds and operates a wide network of year-round recreational, educational, and social activities designed to foster mental and physical health for children and adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
To register for the race and learn more about the event, visit btnbig10K.com.
