Races aren’t just for runners.  They are definitely for the family, too. Encourage your kiddos to make a fun sign. Then, grab some snacks, lace up your cheering shoes, and pack up the family for a fun outing supporting some local runners. It’s also the perfect time to bust out that cowbell you’ve been hiding from your kids, and let them go crazy with it on the race course. Road races can also be an opportunity to raise money for a cause you believe in, making it a great opportunity to teach your little ones about giving back.

Running has been such a crucial part of my motherhood experience. If you’re looking to get in to running, there are plenty of small races around Milwaukee that would make a perfect first race. Already a Speedy McGee? There are races in Milwaukee for you, too! 

Whether you’re a hardcore runner or prefer to stick to the course cheering, there are tons of races for everyone around the Milwaukee area that provide plenty of entertainment for the whole family. Bookmark this list of upcoming races and get out and run (or cheer!)

September 

Milwaukee River Challenge – 5K
Sept. 15, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $35

Brigg’s & Al’s Run & Walk – 8K/3 or 5 mile walk
Sept. 17, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30 to run, $25 to walk
This is one of my favorite races to do with my family! There’s so much for kids to see and do both before and after the race.

Nancy’s Run, Rock, and Stroll – 5K Fun Run/2 mile walk
Sept. 17, 2016
West Allis, WI
Registration: $35

The Glo Run – 5K
Sept. 17, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $60

The Great Milwaukee Race – 5K
Sept. 18, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30

Milwaukee Heart Walk & Fun Run – 5K Run/1 mile walk
Sept. 18, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: No fee to register, but you do have to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Havenwoods 5K-10K Run/Walk
Sept. 24, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $17.50

Joe’s Run, Rock, and Roll – 5K
Sept. 24, 2016
Wauwatosa, WI
Registration: $25

Miles for Meals – 5K
Sept. 24, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – 5K run/1 mile walk
Sept. 25, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30

October

AIDS Walk and Run Wisconsin – 5K Run/Fun Walk
Oct. 1, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30

Darby’s Dash – 5K
Oct. 1, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $25

Night Nation Run, Running Music Festival – 5K
Oct. 1, 2016
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon – 26.2 miles
Oct. 2, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $80
This is one of my favorite races to go and cheer on the runner! Pick a spot along the lakefront and show your support to the runners who have made it at least 20 miles at this point.

Dragon Dash – 5K Run/1 miles walk
Oct. 8, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $20

Get Your Rear in Gear – 5K
Oct. 8, 2016
Wauwatosa, WI
Registration: $12 until Sept. 19

Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 8, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $25

Trick or Trot – 5K
Oct. 8, 2016
Greenfield, WI
Registration: $25

Dunkel Dash 5K
Oct. 13, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30
This race kicks off Milwaukee’s Oktoberfest.

Hot Cider Hustle – 10 mile/5K
Oct. 16, 2016
Shorewood, WI
Registration: $49.99/$34.99

The Milwaukee Beer Run – 5K/.05K
Oct. 23, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $45/$40

Lakefront Discovery Run – 15k
Oct. 29, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $38

Dia De Los Muertos 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 29, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30 until Sept. 30

The Pumpkin Run – 5K/10K
Oct. 30, 2016
Oconomowoc, WI
Registration: $30 until Sept. 25, various price increases after
One of six races in the Winter Run Series. There’s registration deals when signing up for all six races.

Halloween Hustle 5K and Kids Dash
Oct. 30, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $37.50 through Sept. 30

November 

Milwaukee Running Festival – Marathon/Half-Marathon/5K/Mile Race
Nov. 5/6, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $25 – $100

Turkey Trot Prediction Run – 15K or 2 miles
Nov. 6, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $16
This prediction run requires you to predict how fast you will finish. No watches allowed! The winners are those who finish closet to their prediction, and not those who finish first.

Jingle Bell Run – 5K Run/Walk
Nov. 12, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $35

Mustache Dache – 5K
Nov. 12, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $35

The Elf Run – 5K/10K
Nov. 20, 2016
Waukesha, WI
Registration: $30 until Oct. 29, various price increases after
One of six races in the Winter Run Series. There’s registration deals when signing up for all six races.

Drumstick Dash – 5K
Nov. 24, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $30

Milwaukee Turkey Trot – 8K/5K
Nov. 24, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $34.99/$32.99

December

Santa Hustle – 5K
Dec. 3, 2016
Milwaukee, WI
Registration: $50
All runners get a Santa hat and beard to run in!

Badgerland Striders Indoor 20K & 10K
Dec. 4, 2016
West Allis, WI
Registration: $20 + an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots

Run into the New Year – 5K/10K
Dec. 31, 2016
Franklin, WI
Registration: $30 until Nov. 19, various price increases after
One of six races in the Winter Run Series. There’s registration deals when signing up for all six races.

And this is just for the rest of 2016!! Be sure to bookmark this page and visit us again when we update it for 2017! 

---

Running Resources

Badgerland Striders (running club) : The largest running club in the Milwaukee area, serving Wisconsin runners for over 50 years.

The Milwaukee Running Group (running club): A group for runners who like to run all distances and speeds, and also like to motivate their fellow runners to meet and exceed their running goals. This group is perfect for runners of all skill levels.

Endurance House (retail store): Free group runs and yoga, free running workshops, beginning run/walk training, triathlon training

Performance Running Outfitters (retail store): Performance Running Outfitters is a locally owned specialty running store for all levels of runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts with three Milwaukee area locations. 

Fleet Feet Sports (retail store): Free group runs, free Good Form Running workshops, race training (5K, 10K, half and full marathon), speed training, footwear 

Girls on the Run (nonprofit group): a nonprofit group that empowers young girls while incorporating running, culminating in a 5K race event

JA Team Achieve (run for a cause): Train with local team members for an out-of-state half-marathon, while raising money for Junior Achievement.

InStep (physical therapy and running center): Classes on running for beginners and experienced runners.

Keep Running MKE (online resource): Lots of great info about the running scene in the Milwaukee area!