Course Map
About this Race
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon is a largely flat course along the shore of Lake Michigan in the Wisconsin city, running through downtown and the lakefront parks on a gentle profile. The level terrain makes it a reasonable personal-best target, with the lakeside stretches offering long, rhythmic running. Held in April, it typically delivers cool spring conditions, with lake winds the main variable along the exposed shore. The crowds are modest and the atmosphere relaxed. It suits runners who want an accessible, flat-leaning Midwestern race in a cool-weather window without big-event scale.
Course Insight
Milwaukee is a flat, fast lakefront marathon, hugging Lake Michigan on level ground built for quick, even running. The flatness leaves pacing discipline to you on the open early kilometres. The catch is wind off the lake, which can build on the exposed shoreline, so share the work in a pack. Cool April conditions suit fast running. Pace it evenly and the flat lakeside route delivers a clean day.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 143m
- Elevation loss
- 131m
- Highest point
- 211m
- Lowest point
- 179m
- Net elevation
- +12m
- Start
- E. Clybourn St. & N. Harbor Dr.
- Cutoff time
- 5h 0m
Race History
The race began in 2015 as the PNC Milwaukee Running Festival, a flat lakefront course along Lake Michigan through the Wisconsin city. After growing steadily through the late 2010s under new operators, it ran virtual-only for four years before returning to in-person racing in 2024. Now backed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as title sponsor, it has grown again each year since its relaunch. Held each April, it draws a steady field along the lakeshore.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE), Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the lakefront route, the Historic Third Ward for trendy, characterful stays, and the East Side for value options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is at E. Clybourn St. & N. Harbor Dr. downtown; walk from downtown hotels or take the official shuttle to the start.