www.TeamChicago.org

Taylor Dayne scheduled to perform the official Anthem of the 2010 Gay Games at the Opening Ceremonies on July 31, 2010 in Cologne Germany.

Just over one month for wave #1 of the Team Chicago delegation to be on the ground in Cologne, Germany -- one can hardly wait!

General Information
Saturday, June 26, 2010

4400 N Montrose Avenue

(east of Lake Shore Drive)

Packet Pick-up & Registration
Saturday June 19, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Women and Children First Bookstore

5233 N Clark Street in Andersonville

Tuesday June 22 – Friday June 25, 10am-8pm

Universal Sole, 3052 N. Lincoln

Race Day: 6:45am - 7:45am**
Team Chicago Volunteer Check In 7 AM

**Note: Race day packet pick up and gear check close at 7:45am. Please arrive early enough to complete packet pick up or registration and gear check by 7:45am.

Race Day Events
7:40 a.m. Aerobic warm-up & stretch

8:04 a.m. 5K/10K run, 2 mile walk

10:00 a.m. Awards ceremony/Raffle

Getting There
Some parking is available at Montrose Harbor, however walking, bicycling, or taking public transportation is strongly encouraged. Bike racks are available at the race site.

Awards
Awards will be presented to the overall winners and the top 3 finishers in each age group (male and female). Awards will also be presented to the top finishing female, male, and coed teams.

Results
Each 5K and 10K finisher will be mailed personal results including finish time, place in age group, and overall place. Race results will also be posted to the Proud to Run web site.

Race Teams
Teams sign up on the day of the race. You may register online regardless of whether you are planning to form a team on race day. There is no additional team fee. Team categories include all-male, all-female, and coed. Teams may have an unlimited number of members, but the top four finishing times are used to tabulate the team score. To participate as a team, choose a team captain to complete a team card at the race-day registration tent before the start of the event.

This year, Team Chicago and the Federation of Gay Games will be working with the oorganizers of the 2010 Pround to Run to incorporate the International Rainbow Memorial Run

Background on International Rainbow Memorial Run

The 2010 International Rainbow Memorial Run is a series of events to bring the Rainbow Flag around the world as a symbolic “torch” and symbol for AIDS and breast cancer awareness.

Kicking off from San Francisco, the “Athens” of the Gay Games, February 21, the Rainbow Run will travel to past Gay Games Host Cities Vancouver, Sydney, Amsterdam, New York and Chicago before reaching Cologne for Gay Games VIII on July 31.

The 2010 International Rainbow Memorial Run events pay tribute to the memory of artist Keith Haring, lesbian activist Rikki Streicher and Dr. Tom Waddell, the Founder of the Gay Games.

The run is organized and sponsored by:
American Run for the End of AIDS (AREA)
Federation of Gay Games
The Keith Haring Foundation (Keith Haring has been an honoree of the Rainbow Run since its first incarnation in 1990. The past six arrivals of the Rainbow Flag to the Gay Games have been sponsored by the Keith Haring Foundation, which has also granted permission to incorporate Keith's "little runner" into the design of The Rainbow Run every four years.)
NAMES Project Foundation
Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010
and the Front Runners clubs in host cities.

SAVE THE DATE

Here's a list of some upcoming dates for Team Chicago Members to save on their calendars.

Saturday, June 26 - International Rainbow Memorial Run / Proud to Run - Montrose Harbour.

Sunday, June 27 - Team Chicago Participates in Chicago Pride Parade - March of Athletes from Chicago to Cologne. Join us and show off your medals from previous games!

July 15-25 - Delegation Uniform Pick Events

July 27-30 - Delegation Departts to Cologne, Germany for 2010 Gay Games where we will "Be A Part of It!"

July 30th - City Teams Welcome Reception - Cologne, Germany

July 31 - Gay Games VIII - Opening Ceremonies - Cologne, Germany

July 31-August 7 - Gay Games Competitive Events - Cologne, Germany

August 5-8 - Amsterdam Gay Pride - Netherlands

August 7 - Gay Games Closing Ceremonies - Cologne, Germany

August 7-8 - North Halsted Market Days - Chicago, IL

August 8th - 2010 Federation of Gay Games Annual Meeting - Cologne, Germany

August 8th - City Teams Wheels Up/Farewell Reception - Cologne, Germany

August 8/9th - Chicago delegation returns.

It's the talk of the town!!! Chicago is once again a major "Hawkie Town" per Lou Canellis, a sports reporting on the local FOX affiliate.

Check out the 2010 NHL Playoffs Montage

Check out the crowds out in the streets celebrating around town shortly after the win last night, people were out on the streets honking their horns, twirling their red hankies and celebrating another major sports win. Just one of the reasons why Chicago's a big sport town.

Last chance: Registration is still possible until June 21

Many Gay Games VIII sports and cultural events needed exact numbers for event planning. That is why official registration was closed on May 31. However there is still one more chance to participate in Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010.

You can now be placed on a waiting list to participate. Our sports and culture experts will check if a registration is still possible in your event. If so, we will provide late registration for you.

Please send an e-mail now to waitinglist@games-cologne.de with the following information:

- Last Name
- First name
- Date of birth
- Sport or cultural event
- If necessary, performance class or division for the event

You will be informed as soon as possible if participation at the sports or culture event of your choice is still possible and how you should proceed. If a registration is possible in your case we will charge you an additional service fee of 10 Euros for the late registration.

Photo by Amy Mosley

So open your e-mail program and register now! It is not too late. Please share this message with teammates or anyone else that still wishes to register.