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Burpee 5K, 3.1 Miles of Nothing but Burpees, Returns for a Second Year

By Justin Breen | August 18, 2014 7:05am

CHICAGO — Tim Dunne described last year's inaugural Burpee 5K event — 3.1 miles of nothing but burpees around a high school track — as one where "everyone had a great time but just couldn't walk for a week after."

So Dunne decided to organize the challenge again this year.

"As crazy as it sounds, it's easier than it seems," said Dunne, 26, a former asset management specialist at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Downtown. "Last year, no one knew what they were getting into ... just a lot of burpees and breaking-down mental limitations."

Justin Breen runs 5 miles a day, but even he wouldn't try the Burpee 5K. Here's why:

One burpee consists of starting in a standing position, dropping both hands to the ground and kicking your feet back into a pushup position, then bringing your feet toward your hands into a froglike position before broad-jumping forward.

 Participants from last year's Burpee 5K at Evergreen Park High School.
Participants from last year's Burpee 5K at Evergreen Park High School.
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Facebook/Burpee 5K

This year's edition will take place Sept. 20 at the same facility as 2013 — the Evergreen Park High School track, about a mile from the city limits — with a twist. Those who can't attend can become "virtual participants," Dunne said, and complete the 5K off-site on an honor system on a day they're willing and able.

Actual and virtual participants will receive a T-shirt and medal, and the registration fee for both is $30. All profits will be donated to the Green Beret Foundation, which provides benefits to disabled Green Berets and their families.

People can sign up as an individual or part of a team. Last year, about 20 people tried the Burpee 5K, and four completed the task in about four hours each. A few others finished as part of a team.

Dunne, one of those individual finishers, is hoping to double the number of signees this year.

"We believe that this is truly a unique, one-of-a-kind event," said Dunne, a CrossFit Trainer in Evergreen Park. "Not many people would even think to do something like this.

"People have completed the infamous burpee mile challenge, but it takes something special within to complete the Burpee 5K," he said. "We wanted to create something that no one else has done."

The Burpee 5K is Sept. 20 at Evergreen Park High School, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park. Participants can sign in from 7:30-7:55 a.m., with the event beginning promptly at 8 a.m. There is no set amount of time a participant must stay at the event, but the event will end at 2 p.m. For more information, click here.

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