Go Big Blue 4 Miler Presented by Kroger Simple Truth Returns to UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK Athletics will host the 2023 Go Big Blue 4 Miler presented by Kroger Simple Truth the morning of Saturday, April 22. The race will begin and end at Kroger Field and take participants through various athletic facilities on south campus.

“We are excited to bring back the Go Big Blue 4 Miler to our campus and offer fans a unique experience of our south campus athletic facilities,” said Nathan Schwake, associate athletics director for marketing and licensing. “We greatly appreciate Kroger and Girls on the Run Central Kentucky for working with us to put this exciting event together and look forward to providing our community a fun and exciting event that highlights some of the nation’s best collegiate athletic facilities.”

Registration is open now at UKathletics.com/GoBigBlue4Miler with three pricing categories. Registration is $35 for adults (18 years old and over) and $30 for youth (ages 17 and under). The Junior Wildcat Club 1 Mile Kids Run/Walk for kids 10 years old and younger will return this year to begin the day. Registration for the 10 and under run/walk is $25 and will start at 8:30 a.m. ET. Walking participants can register at the same price in all three categories.

Participants should park in the Blue VIP lot outside Kroger Field on the Alumni Drive side.

Participants in the race will receive a commemorative t-shirt. The Go Big Blue 4 Miler will be a chip-timed race, with prizes from Kroger for overall top finishers. Each participant will also receive a medal, provided by Kroger.

The Go Big Blue 4 Miler will begin through the concourse of Kroger Field, with runners proceeding through the practice fields at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility and enter the Barnhart Family Athletics Complex past Kentucky Proud Park. Participants will then move through the Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex and John Cropp Stadium before going across campus through the Kentucky Outdoor Track and Field Facility. The race will finish outside Gate 12 of Kroger Field. The Junior Wildcat Club Kids Race will be an untimed dash outside Kroger Field.

Kroger Simple Truth and UK Athletics along with support from the popular Girls on the Run youth running program is part of the community outreach effort UK and Kroger are making as part of its on-going agreement. Both UK Athletics and Kroger will have active presences at the race.

“We are thrilled to bring back Kroger’s Simple Truth Big Blue 4 Miler,” said Jessica Sharp, Kroger corporate affairs manager. “Partnering with the national non-profit organization Girls on the Run, we hope to empower young girls with confidence and kindness while also sharing Kroger’s Simple Truth line of grocery items as an affordable and organic option to build healthier plates at every table.”

“Girls on the Run Central Kentucky is pleased to partner with UK Athletics and Kroger on the Kroger Simple Truth Big Blue 4 Miler Supporting Girls on the Run Central Kentucky on April 22,” said Heidi Guckenberger, executive director for Girls on the Run Central Kentucky. “This event aligns well with our mission of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident.  We look forward to working together to create a fun event that promotes healthy living in Kentucky.”

UK HealthCare, the official healthcare partner of UK Athletics, will provide on-site medical care for the Go Big Blue 4 Miler.