Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon: 2026 participant & spectator guide

The 44th Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon takes place October 3-4, 2026, with registration now open with early bird pricing. Walk the Hoan remains an exceptional family value at $5 for adults and free for children under 5. The race continues as Wisconsin's largest marathon and serves as the 2026 Wisconsin RRCA Marathon Championship, with the unique distinction of being the only event crossing Milwaukee's iconic Hoan Bridge on foot.

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2026 dates and complete event schedule

Race weekend spans Saturday and Sunday with a packed schedule of events for runners and families alike.

Saturday, October 3, 2026:

• Expo & Packet Pickup: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM at Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave.

• 5K Packet Pickup: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM at Urban Park

• 5K Run & Walk the Hoan: 10:30 AM start at Urban Park, 1070 E. Michigan St.

Sunday, October 4, 2026:

• Race Day Packet Pickup: 5:45 AM – 6:45 AM at start area (requires $30-40 fee paid in advance)

• Full Marathon: 7:00 AM start at Baird Center (south side)

• Half Marathon: 7:00 AM start at Baird Center (south side)

• Half Marathon Awards: 10:00 AM at Urban Park celebration stage

• Full Marathon Awards: 11:00 AM at Urban Park celebration stage

No significant schedule changes from 2025 have been announced. The expo remains at Baird Center, and all races maintain their traditional start times.

Registration pricing and deadlines for 2026

Registration opened January 1, 2026, with the lowest prices available for one day only. The pricing structure uses progressive tiers that increase throughout the year.

Full Marathon Pricing:

• January 1 only (Early Bird): $85

• Price increases occur on: January 2, January 31, March 15, May 15, July 15, and September 1

• Registration deadline: October 1, 2026 (or when 2,500-runner capacity is reached)

Half Marathon Pricing:

• January 1 only (Early Bird): $70

• Same price increase dates as full marathon

• Registration deadline: October 1, 2026 (or when 3,500-runner capacity is reached)

Walk the Hoan Pricing (confirmed):

• Adults: $5 (plus tax and fees)

• Children under 5: FREE

• Benefits the This Time Tomorrow Foundation (cancer support charity)

Own the Hoan Challenge:

• Starting at $111 on January 1 (combines 5K + half or full marathon)

• Includes bonus third medal and additional swag

• Registration deadline: October 3, 2026

5K Run Pricing: Specific 2026 pricing not yet published; based on 2025, includes timed bib, finisher medal, and customized knit pom hat.

Important fee notes: All registration fees are non-refundable. Race day packet pickup costs $30 if paid before October 3, or $40 if paid at pickup. Bib transfers and distance changes are available through September 30, 2026. No public discount codes have been announced.

Every event happening race weekend

The weekend offers five distinct participation options designed to appeal to serious marathoners and casual family participants alike.

Full Marathon (Sunday) covers 26.2 USATF-certified miles with 626 feet of elevation gain, crossing the Hoan Bridge twice at miles 7.5 and 23.5. The course is a Boston Marathon qualifier with more than 40% of the route running alongside Lake Michigan. Runners face a 6.5-hour time limit with a 1:30 PM finish cutoff.

Half Marathon (Sunday) shares the first 10 miles with the full marathon before splitting at the lakefront. Same 7:00 AM start, same 6.5-hour time limit, same stunning views of Milwaukee's skyline and harbor.

5K Run (Saturday) is a timed race over the Hoan Bridge starting at 10:30 AM. The "King and Queen of the Hoan" competition awards the first male and female to reach the bridge summit with a trucker hat and $100 gift card to Performance Running Outfitters. Participants receive a customized knit pom hat and finisher medal. The 90-minute time limit accommodates most paces.

Walk the Hoan (Saturday) starts at 10:30 AM behind the 5K runners. This untimed, non-competitive walk welcomes strollers, leashed dogs, wheelchairs, and participants of all abilities. The route crosses the normally pedestrian-closed Hoan Bridge—an experience unavailable any other time of year. Participants receive Milwaukee Lakefront 5K mittens, a short-sleeve shirt, and an official gear check bag.

Own the Hoan Challenge requires completing the Saturday 5K plus either Sunday race. Finishers earn a bonus third medal beyond the two event medals. This works especially well for families where parents run the 5K with children Saturday, then tackle the longer distance Sunday.

Youth Run Status: Not confirmed for 2026. The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon does not include a dedicated youth run event. Children capable of completing the 5K distance (no minimum age restriction) can participate in the 5K Run or Walk the Hoan with adults.

Expo activities and what to expect

The MLM Expo at Baird Center on Saturday serves as the primary packet pickup location and features a marketplace atmosphere open free to the public.

Expo highlights include:

• Over 20 vendors showcasing running products from national and local companies

• Official Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon merchandise sales

• Course information sessions and strategy talks

• Photo opportunities with race backdrops

• Free sign-making station for kids to create spectator signs

Parking at Baird Center includes indoor hourly parking (entrances on W. Kilbourn Ave. and West Wells St.) with QR code discounts available. SpotHero and street parking provide additional options.

5K and Walk the Hoan participants pick up packets race morning (8:30-10:00 AM) at Urban Park rather than the Baird Center expo.

Family-friendly activities and programming

Walk the Hoan stands out as the premier family event, offering an accessible, low-pressure way to experience crossing the iconic bridge together. The free admission for children under 5 makes it exceptionally affordable for families with young children.

At the finish line area (Urban Park):

• Bounce house for children (sponsored by Copeland-Vilter)

• Food trucks and beverage stands

• Live entertainment on the celebration stage

• DJ/performance by Moses (leukemia survivor musician affiliated with This Time Tomorrow Foundation)

What to expect honestly: The weekend focuses primarily on the racing events rather than extensive family entertainment zones. Families should plan around participation in Walk the Hoan or 5K, spectating along the course, and enjoying the finish line festivities at Urban Park. There are no separate carnival-style kids' zones, face painting stations, or extensive activity areas beyond the bounce house.

Course details and logistics

The course starts at Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee and finishes at Urban Park on the Summerfest grounds, offering spectacular lakefront scenery throughout.

Course highlights: Runners cross the 130-foot-high Hoan Bridge with panoramic views of the Milwaukee skyline, Lake Michigan, and the harbor. The first half features rolling hills; the second half trends mostly downhill, making this a relatively fast course. More than 40% of the route follows the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Critical cutoff times (strictly enforced):

• Mile 7.5 (Hoan Bridge): 9:15 AM (18:00 min/mile pace)

• Mile 23.5 (South end of Hoan): 1:00 PM

• Finish: 1:30 PM (14:42 min/mile overall pace)

The Hoan Bridge is not normally a pedestrian bridge—runners who cannot maintain pace will be asked to board the SAG wagon, resulting in a DNF. No "rules of the road" finishes are permitted.

Parking: Participants receive free parking at finish area lots including ICC Lot (178 N. Jackson St.) and Lake Lot (328 N. Van Buren St.), approximately 1/3 mile walk from the finish. Spectators can find discounted parking nearby or use street parking around Urban Park at 328 N Van Buren St.

Gear check: All full/half marathon participants receive an official gear bag at packet pickup. Drop bags at the start line for transport to Urban Park. Do not include valuables (no phones, keys, or wallets).

Shuttle service: Free shuttles run from the finish area to host hotels for half and full marathon participants. The start area includes an indoor waiting space with real bathrooms.

What participants receive

Full and Half Marathon finishers get:

• Official race bib

• Participant shirt (at expo)

• Official gear bag

• Finisher medal

• Free race day photos via MarathonFoto

• Access to post-race celebration with beer, brats, and entertainment

5K Run finishers get:

• Timed race bib

• Customized knit pom hat

• Finisher medal

Walk the Hoan participants get:

• Bib with timing chip

• Milwaukee Lakefront 5K mittens

• Short-sleeve shirt

• Official gear check bag

Own the Hoan Challenge completers get:

• Medals from each individual event (2 total)

• Bonus third challenge medal

• Bonus swag (to be announced)

Aid stations and race support

Aid stations appear approximately every 2 miles throughout the full and half marathon courses. Each station provides water, Gatorade (lemon-lime flavor), and portable toilets. GU energy gels are available at three locations on course.

Medical support includes trained aid station volunteers for minor first aid needs and a SAG wagon for participants unable to maintain pace. Volunteers can call for transportation assistance if needed.

Tracking runners: The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon app (iOS 15.2+/Android) provides real-time GPS tracking, live results, and interactive course maps. The RaceJoy app offers audio cheers sent directly to runners. Text and email alerts notify spectators when participants cross timing mats.

Post-race celebration details

The after-party at Urban Park transforms the Summerfest grounds into a runner's celebration featuring "Milwaukee style" hospitality—beer, brats, and lakefront beauty.

Food trucks and beverage stands offer a variety of options for purchase. Live entertainment continues on the celebration stage throughout the morning. The bounce house keeps children entertained while families wait for finishers.

Awards ceremonies take place on the celebration stage with Half Marathon awards at 10:00 AM and Full Marathon awards at 11:00 AM. Age group categories include under 19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+, with the top three finishers in each category recognized.

What's confirmed versus likely for 2026

Confirmed for 2026:

• Race dates: October 3-4, 2026

• 44th edition, Wisconsin RRCA Marathon Championship

• Early bird pricing: $85 full/$70 half (January 1 only)

• Walk the Hoan: $5 adults, free under 5

• Participant caps: 2,500 marathon, 3,500 half marathon

• Expo at Baird Center

• Registration deadline: October 1, 2026

• Bib transfers through September 30, 2026

Likely unchanged (based on recent years):

• Course route and key features

• Aid station provisions and locations

• Cutoff times and pace requirements

• Post-race celebration format

• Free participant parking at finish

Not included:

• Youth Run (no dedicated event found for 2025 or 2026)

• Public discount codes

The Badgerland Striders Running Club continues to organize this event on a "For Runners, By Runners" nonprofit model without major corporate sponsorship, maintaining its reputation as one of the Midwest's most runner-focused marathon weekends.