Milwaukee Marathon
Milwaukee, WI
- Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Get ready for Wisconsin’s top spring running event, the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon. Imagine yourself running with your best pals through Milwaukee’s most scenic cityscapes, before crossing the finish line into one of the city’s fabulous parks. Marathon and half marathon runners will enjoy a course with lakeside views finishing … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 10):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 50 | 39 | 68 | 71 | 55 |
| L (°F) | 37 | 36 | 45 | 49 | 32 |
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Fun "Marthon"
This is really a very nice marathon, especially for locals. The course is fairly fast with only a few hills. The marathon is capped at about 1000, which is good … MORE
This is really a very nice marathon, especially for locals. The course is fairly fast with only a few hills. The marathon is capped at about 1000, which is good because it includes an out and back on a trail. Excellent finish area with great local breweries. I would prefer getting a t-shirt vs. the hoodies they have used the last two years. All the medal indicated “Milwaukee Marthon”, I have not seen a mistake like that before but I hope they embrace it and rebrand the event as the Milwaukee Marthon!
No complaints
The 2026 Milwaukee Marathon was seamless from head to toe - besides getting a parking ticket when picking up my bib. The bib pickup was in the Baird Center which … MORE
The 2026 Milwaukee Marathon was seamless from head to toe – besides getting a parking ticket when picking up my bib. The bib pickup was in the Baird Center which was easy and had a small site of vendors, mostly useless stuff but for a first-time marathoner it would be fun to walk around.
Getting downtown on race day was extremely seamless and I was able to get dropped off a block away from the race. The start had plenty of port-o-potties and areas to warm up.
Once the race started, the hill around mile 2 was the only extremely daunting part of the course. Overall mileage was around 650ft on my watch so nothing terrible. Miles 5-15 involved an out and back on the Oak Leaf Trail, a bit lengthy and boring as we didn’t see anyone cheering throughout most of that section. The wind coming past the Third Ward made the last 5 miles tougher than they needed to be, but the crowd support turning on mile 25 was great. Water and Gatorade at every station and well spaced.
Can’t write this review without mentioning the incorrect spelling of “marathon” on the back of the medals… IYKYK.
Amazing weather and beautiful scenery
Pretty flat course the scenery is amazing especially by mile 17 coming back down into the city alongside the lake. The people were great everybody had everybody’s back so the … MORE
Pretty flat course the scenery is amazing especially by mile 17 coming back down into the city alongside the lake. The people were great everybody had everybody’s back so the culture is there . It was a wonderful first marathon experience. Many more to come.
Extend the marathon time limit
The course cut offs during this race were too aggressive. As well as the marathon course time limit. It is one of the shortest time durations to run a marathon … MORE
The course cut offs during this race were too aggressive. As well as the marathon course time limit. It is one of the shortest time durations to run a marathon in any Midwest race.
Fun and Easy Race
This was my first half marathon and I definitely think it was a good race and course for my first time. I enjoyed it. There were some hills at the … MORE
This was my first half marathon and I definitely think it was a good race and course for my first time. I enjoyed it. There were some hills at the end and one at 2 miles that was massive! Also the variety of snacks at the end were fabulous. I would definitely do this face again.
Great First Race
I thought this was a great first race. I did struggle a bit with the hills and elevation but nonetheless had a lot of fun and the scenery was great. MORE
I thought this was a great first race. I did struggle a bit with the hills and elevation but nonetheless had a lot of fun and the scenery was great.
Had a wonderful time on the course
The run on Lake Drive down the lakeside is beautiful. The sun was out, and it was just the perfect weather and a little breezy with clear skies as far … MORE
The run on Lake Drive down the lakeside is beautiful. The sun was out, and it was just the perfect weather and a little breezy with clear skies as far as you could see.
Good weather and mostly flat course
It’s a fast course the out and back is mostly flat has aid stations every 3 miles offers Gatorade water and gels the hoodie you get for the race is … MORE
It’s a fast course the out and back is mostly flat has aid stations every 3 miles offers Gatorade water and gels the hoodie you get for the race is really nice. It is a good course to run a pr if you prepare properly for race day it was nice when the race was by Lake Michigan i would definitely recommend to family and friends was worth driving 6 hours to run
Fun race on a PR course
The course was fun. It was a busy race with lots of people around you to run with. The race swag was great, I loved the MKE running hoodie. The … MORE
The course was fun. It was a busy race with lots of people around you to run with. The race swag was great, I loved the MKE running hoodie. The course had some challenging parts including some decent hills, but overall it was a very fast course with smooth aid stations.
The course......
Absolutely beautiful sunrise before the race. The course took us through neighborhoods with gorgeous homes. Along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Into the streets where I grew up. Finish … MORE
Absolutely beautiful sunrise before the race. The course took us through neighborhoods with gorgeous homes. Along the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Into the streets where I grew up. Finish line at Humboldt Park, where I had my high school cross country practices. Great course, brought back lots of old memories. Definitely doing this one again!
Rainy day, pot holes
Some bumpy area and potholes . A lot of great organizations there. It was good to stagger racers to avoid congestion. The metals were labeled wrong but solid and the … MORE
Some bumpy area and potholes . A lot of great organizations there. It was good to stagger racers to avoid congestion. The metals were labeled wrong but solid and the shirt swag was good quality .
I really liked this race!
My first time running this race and everything was above expectations. The scenery was wonderful, nice view of the lakefront and downtown Milwaukee. Course was nice and flat and food … MORE
My first time running this race and everything was above expectations. The scenery was wonderful, nice view of the lakefront and downtown Milwaukee. Course was nice and flat and food was provided at the finish line.
All in all, I had a great time!
Great first half marathon experience!
Overall great event with a course that offers great views of lake Michigan! Spectators cheering runners on throughout the course made the race feel like it went quickly and had … MORE
Overall great event with a course that offers great views of lake Michigan! Spectators cheering runners on throughout the course made the race feel like it went quickly and had a great offering of fuel at the finish line! Bussing back to the starting point was fast and convenient. My only feedback for areas of improvement would include better spacing of the vendors offering the included beer at the post-race party (lines were long and unclear) and a better swag offering (I heard many people say they would have rather had the 5K swag instead of the half/full marathon swag).
Overall this was a great experience and I highly suspect I’ll be running again next year!
Beautiful views, 1 killer hill
For a first time race this was perfect. The very large hill at the 2 mile mark was as brutal for an inexperienced runner like me, but I’d rather it … MORE
For a first time race this was perfect. The very large hill at the 2 mile mark was as brutal for an inexperienced runner like me, but I’d rather it here versus at the end. Would have been perfect if I wasn’t nursing an injury.
Classic must run Milwaukee race!
This was my second time running this race, and the course is absolutely beautiful, especially along the lakeshore. It is a bit hilly in places, but overall a great course … MORE
This was my second time running this race, and the course is absolutely beautiful, especially along the lakeshore. It is a bit hilly in places, but overall a great course that has the potential to help you set a new PB. This year’s race was a bit disappointing from a production perspective – it felt they were trying to cut corners a bit (very strict 5 hour cutoff time, not enough water stations/bathrooms along the course, and not as many pacers, particularly around some of my target times). Overall, though Milwaukee is a great city to run in and experience, there’s great spectator support, and I recommend everyone try this race as long as you take into account you might need to carry water and can definitely finish in sub-5.
Beautiful course & perfect weather
Milwaukee was a great small race where you don't have to wait in the corrals for long periods of time. Because the first three miles are with the half marathon, … MORE
Milwaukee was a great small race where you don’t have to wait in the corrals for long periods of time. Because the first three miles are with the half marathon, it is a little crowded at the beginning. The bike trail miles are nice and the out and back at the beginning is helpful mentally. There are some hills on the course so make sure to include some elevation in your training. Our weather this year was perfect but if there is wind, the last 10 miles could be very challenging as the race is along Lake Michigan.
Watch out for the gradual up hill @9
This race is a nice way to run Milwaukee as a local resident. The spectators are always high in numbers and super energetic throughout the whole course. There is a … MORE
This race is a nice way to run Milwaukee as a local resident. The spectators are always high in numbers and super energetic throughout the whole course. There is a 100ft climb at mile 2, but then a downhill until mile 9. Last few miles are all uphill again. Very easy to PR though if you know how to handle the hills.
Great Race
I really enjoy the Milwaukee Marathon. It's a nice scenic route and has been great wether the last couple years. Would recommend to other runners. MORE
I really enjoy the Milwaukee Marathon. It’s a nice scenic route and has been great wether the last couple years. Would recommend to other runners.
Great course with awesome scenery
The medal was printed incorrectly with "Marthon" on it, but it made it unique. The race started on time, with no major issues. There was a gradual hill right away, … MORE
The medal was printed incorrectly with “Marthon” on it, but it made it unique. The race started on time, with no major issues. There was a gradual hill right away, which I appreciated vs it being at the end.
Great Event
It rained but still had a great time. Even though the medal had a misspelling. It was great. The people I met there were super nice. The post snacks were … MORE
It rained but still had a great time. Even though the medal had a misspelling. It was great. The people I met there were super nice. The post snacks were great