Run the Bay 5K Returns to Whitefish Bay

Looking for a great way to kick off May in Whitefish Bay? Run the Bay returns on Saturday, May 2, 2026, bringing runners, walkers, kids, and community supporters together at Klode Park for one of the village’s signature spring traditions. This year also marks the event’s 20th anniversary, giving families even more reason to lace up and join in.

Run the Bay has something for just about everyone. The morning includes a 5K run, a 5K walk, a kids’ fun run for ages 7 to 12 of about three-quarters of a mile, and a shorter 100-meter dash for kids 6 and under. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m., with the kids’ races starting later in the morning.

The event takes place at Klode Park, 5960 N. Lake Drive, with race-day packet pickup and day-of registration running from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Organizers note that day-of registration must be completed electronically, so registering ahead of time is the easiest option. Participants who register by April 20 are guaranteed a race T-shirt, while supplies last after that date.

Beyond the race itself, Run the Bay is about community impact. Proceeds support the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation, helping fund opportunities for local public schools, teachers, and students. There is also a raffle tied to the event, with proceeds benefiting the foundation as well.

One more reason this year’s race stands out: it is part of Green Day in the Bay, a broader Whitefish Bay Civic Foundation celebration centered on sustainability and community engagement. The Civic Foundation encourages families to make a morning of it by taking part in Run the Bay and then heading to other Green Day activities, including Recycle Day at Dominican High School, the Eco Fair, and hands-on clinics focused on water conservation.

Whether you are chasing a PR, pushing a stroller, or cheering on your kids in the fun run, Run the Bay is the kind of local event that makes Whitefish Bay feel like Whitefish Bay. It is active, neighborly, and rooted in supporting the community. For families looking for a spring event that mixes fun with purpose, this one is easy to recommend.