Runners readying for Little 50

During qualifications for the fourth annual Little 50 running race, the entire cheering section for Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority danced to Cascada's techno song, "Every Time We Touch."\n"It's really weird, but it gets us pumped up," said sophomore and AEPhi president Katie Tilson, who said the team's four runners listen to the song before their almost-daily practices.\nThe Little 50, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday at Haugh Track & Field Complex, serves as the kick-off for Little 500 week. The theme of this year's race is "Rock n' Run," emphasizing its means as an opening act for the main event, the cycling races April 21 and 22, said senior Sara Foley, IU Student Foundation Little 50 steering committee member.\n"It's not as big as Little 500 yet," Foley said. "It doesn't have the tradition behind it, but it's growing every year."\nTwenty-two women's teams and 25 men's teams of four runners each will compete in respective 13-mile races for medals. Foley said about half of the teams this year are independent and not associated with the greek system, emphasizing that everyone on campus can come and enjoy the race. \n"It's just neat to see the campus participation and the competition of it," she said. "It's fun even if you don't know anyone in it."\nThe running race involves the same components as the cycling race, Foley said. \n"There's pits and exchanges," she said. "It's not like your typical track meet."\nTeams run 50 laps, typically switching off after every 400 meters. \nThis year, the IUSF Little 50 steering committee is implementing fan contests to draw more supporters to the race. A $200 Pizza Express gift card will be given to the loudest cheering section and the two most wildly dressed fans, a male and female judged upon by IUSF directors, will receive iPod nanos, Foley said.\nSenior Ben Bartley, a runner since his freshman year of high school, was a member of last year's University Athletics Club Cream, an independent team that won last year's men's race. He's the lone returner to the race this year from team Cream, which took first at qualifications.\nHe said he's been running anywhere from 25 to 50 miles a week to prepare and that this year's field will be more competitive.\n"The competition behind us is going to be able to push us and make for the best Little 50 we've had," he said.\nThis is AEPhi's first year to have a team competing, an exciting landmark for the sorority.\n"We haven't had a riding team since I was a freshman ... so this is a huge deal," said senior and AEPhi runner Rachel Rinkov.\nThe AEPhi team practices often with the men's team of Zeta Beta Tau, because senior Adam Jacobs -- one of ZBT's runners -- is helping them train.\n"We just sort of follow what he does," Rinkov said. "He doesn't let us run with iPods because he thinks it distracts us."\nTilson said the frequent practices, which typically last one and a half hours and involve both endurance and speed training, have been grueling.\nStill, Rinkov said lots of Gatorade and water in addition to a lighthearted atmosphere make the intense physical aspects worthwhile. The team members are anxious for Saturday's race, she said.\n"Everyone's a ball of nerves because the race is challenging, but I think we're excited and ready to do it and get it done," she said.\nLike Foley, Bartley said he would like the race's importance to the campus to be more emphasized.\n"I hope someday to get it to reach the status of Little 500 as far as competition goes," he said.\nLittle 500 tickets also serve as Little 50 tickets, but tickets for Little 50 can be purchased at the track the day of the event for $5.\nFor more information on the race, visit www.iusf.bloomington.com/littlefiftyfrm.html.