PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONUS / RACE GUIDE
Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon race photo

Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon race photoMilwaukee
US
Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Isaac Rowlett / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Race date in 182 days
Apr 10, 2027 Sat
City · Distance
Milwaukee · 42.195km · 21.1km · 5km
Entry fee
$94From the 2026 edition
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

A spring race through Milwaukee's downtown, with the marathon starting at 7:00 AM and course time limit having a 5-hour time limit.

Marathon, half marathon, and 5K are held over the weekend of April 10-11.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

#MilwaukeeMarathon#Milwaukee#Overseas Marathon#April Marathon#Full marathon Marathon

Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 2
Channing MullerRan in 2024
“The Milwaukee Marathon this past weekend kicked my tail a little more than I expected though.”

The runner struggled with Milwaukee Marathon’s relentless hills and late-race glute cramps, but encouraged other first-time marathoners and completed their ninth marathon.

KaylaRan in 2016 · Finish time 5:27:03
“At about the halfway point, I started to incorporate more walking breaks.”

At the Milwaukee Running Festival Marathon, knee and iliotibial band pain meant the runner walked more in the second half. The runner finished with two companions and reports that the organizers adjusted times because the course was too long.

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

Finisher vlog

View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition
Official race websiteEntry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition
Runners start · local timeFrom 07:00
EventStartTime limit
Marathon42.195km07:005h
Half21.0975km07:004h
5K5km08:301h
START

E Clybourn St & N Harbor Dr intersection (near Summit Fest North Gate), Milwaukee

Start · Google Maps
FINISH

Humboldt Park, 3000 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee

Finish · Google Maps
Original course map · goandrace.com
Show more

The Milwaukee Marathon is a full marathon race that connects the lakeside and downtown streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

The official introduction cites the Lake Michigan waterfront scenery, the support of residents, and the route through the neighborhood as its main features.

Although full marathon, half marathon, and 5km are held in one event, start and race schedules are operated for each event.

Rather than showing Milwaukee only through the city streets, we designed it to pass through walking trails, lakeside roads, and residential areas.

Full marathon starts near East Clyburn Street and North Harbor Drive and ends at Humboldt Park.

The green roads connected by course include the Oak Leaf Trail and the Hank Aaron State Trail.

Next, you'll see lake views from Lincoln Memorial Drive, and pass through city streets like Water Street and Capitol Drive.

The scene of running along the water and the section where you meet the cheering of local residents in the city are connected within one route.

The organizers inform us that full marathon has been certified as course by the American Association of Track and Field and can be used for Boston Marathon qualification records.

Participation of the local community is added to this competitive nature.

Support from residents, schools, and local businesses is featured as an official feature,

and an event featuring local music and beer culture is held at the finals.

The spatial flow of the competition is that participants who run through Milwaukee's waterfront, green spaces, and streets gather at a park to finish the race.

World Athletics Label
Label Label
Typical race-season temperature: around 7°C (44°F)
Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Marathon

Pacers

Marathon

Finisher medal

Marathon

Bag drop

Marathon

Start shuttle

Where and when to collect your Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Pick up your bib at the expo

Enter through the north entrance (405 W.
4/9 (Fri) 12:00~18:00

Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee

Kilbourn Ave.)

Stations & transport near the venue

  • Getting to the startNo rail/metro in Milwaukee — free parking at Italian Community Center Lot (631 E.
  • Getting to the finishUrban Park along the Milwaukee lakefront — no metro · rail nearby, access on foot or via rideshare

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

No rail/metro in Milwaukee — free parking at Italian Community Center Lot (631 E. Chicago Ave) or Lake Lot (328 N. Van Buren St), or paid at Discovery World Garage; official shuttle runs runners (bib required, no spectators) from these lots to the start staging area 5:15-6:30 AM

One-way shuttle only, for registered runners with bib — no return shuttle to these lots after the race. After the race, a shuttle from Humboldt Park to the starting point runs from 8:30 to 13:00. Please refer to the downtown Milwaukee parking information and arrive with plenty of time to spare by start line.

Getting to the finish

Urban Park along the Milwaukee lakefront — no metro/rail nearby, access on foot or via rideshare

Free shuttle buses run from the finish area to host hotels for registered half/full marathon participants. Walking distance from finish to participant parking areas is ~1/3 mile.

Start shuttle

Two legs: (1) free start-line shuttle from parking lots, runners only, 5:15-6:30 AM; (2) free finish-line shuttle to host hotels after the race. Milwaukee has no subway; ~20 city bus routes detoured on race day.

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Packet Pickup The expo is held at the Baird Center.

Enter through the north entrance on West Kilburn Avenue, and the expo is located in the 100-level section of the building.

Bib Participants who choose delivery are advised to check the application details first and avoid making duplicate plans for on-site pickup.

The luggage of full marathon and half marathon is stored at start line and then transported to the final.

After completing the race, pick up your luggage at the final festival area in Humboldt Park.

There is no luggage storage service at 5km,

so it is best to decide in advance whether you want to keep your luggage with your companion or leave it at your accommodation.

Make sure your accommodation and parking plans also take into account that the start and finish are in different locations.

After finishing the race, the shuttle back to the starting point leaves at South Howell Avenue and Montana Street, northwest of Humboldt Park.

Organizers inform you that the shuttle will return to the starting point on North Harbor Drive.

If you are planning to meet your companion at the park,

it is convenient to set a meeting order so that you do not have to return after passing the shuttle boarding point and baggage collection area.

Times are local to Milwaukee. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Milwaukee | General Mitchell International Airport Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service

$207

View on Klook

Milwaukee Car Rental (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Hotels near the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon start line in

Hotels that make race morning easyHotels to rest in right after the finish

View all →

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Distances are straight-line from the finish.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

The start and finish are 4.7km apart.

Holiday Inn Express Milwaukee Downtown, An Ihg Hotel

Hotel · 644m

8.8/10(241)
View on Booking.com

Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Ctr

Hotel · 4.5km

6.5/10(156)
View on Booking.com

The Bentley Condotel, Heart of Walkers Point with Garage, Yard

Accommodation · 4.2km

9.7/10(59)
View on Booking.com

INSTA worthy Home! *Sleeps 8* - Walker's Point!

Accommodation · 3.5km

9.6/10(25)
View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Trip.comClosest to the start lineView on Trip.com

Time for you, before and after the finish

View all →

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Milwaukee | General Mitchell International Airport Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service

$207

View on Klook

Milwaukee Car Rental (EconomyBookings)

Compare rates from various rental car companies, self-drive (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Make reservation after checking price

View on EconomyBookings

Milwaukee Airport Pickup (GetTransfer)

Verified article matching, preliminary quote comparison reservation (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Reservation after price confirmation

View on GetTransfer

Milwaukee car rental (Qeeq)

Compare budget-friendly rental cars with a free-cancellation option (check the price when booking) · Check price and book

View on Qeeq

Milwaukee Airport Pickup (Welcome)

Local driver pick-up, flight delay monitoring included (price confirmed at time of reservation) · Book after checking price

View on Welcome Pickups

Madison|Private airport pickup/drop-off service at Dane County Regional Airport

$194

View on Klook

Milwaukee: Art Museum Art and Architecture Tour – With a Docent/Historian Guide

$201

View on GetYourGuide

Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art Admission Ticket

$22

View on Klook

Where runners eat in Milwaukee

Eating well is part of the trip

View all →

A meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.

Chicago classic food & walking tour

Includes free bicycle and kayak rental · $20

View on GetYourGuide

Special Brunch, Lunch or Dinner River Cruise in Chicago

$120

View on Klook

What to see in Milwaukee after the race

Seeing Milwaukee with the medal on

View all →

The city you ran — this time, a little slower.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise Half-Day All-Inclusive Tour

$46

View on Klook

Total cost and budget for Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Milwaukee runners' room

Frequently asked questions about Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon

FAQ
When does Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sat, April 10, 2027 in Milwaukee, WI, United States.

How do I register for Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027?

Entry routes: First come, first served.

Registration is handled on the official website.

(From the 2026 edition)

What distances does Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half · 5K. (From the 2026 edition)

What time does Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027 start?

The race starts at 07:00. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027 start?

E Clybourn St & N Harbor Dr intersection (near Summit Fest North Gate), Milwaukee.

(From the 2026 edition)

Where does Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 2027 finish?

Humboldt Park, 3000 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee. (From the 2026 edition)

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