The Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon returns the second weekend in April with the full and half-marathon races sold out and the 5K still accepting entrants.
The two long-distance events are set for Saturday, April 11, with both the marathon and half-marathon starting at 7 a.m. The 5K will be held the following morning, Sunday, April 12, with an 8:30 a.m. start. The Journal Sentinel serves as the race’s title sponsor this year, and organizers confirmed the 2026 course is unchanged from 2025 — beginning on North Harbor Boulevard near the Summerfest grounds, following Lincoln Memorial Drive and portions of the Oak Leaf Trail, then reversing course before the final six miles through the Third Ward and Walker’s Point and finishing with a post-race party at Humboldt Park in Bay View.
Organizers reported the marathon and half-marathon are sold out, with roughly 1,450 runners registered for the full distance and about 3,500 in the half. The 5K remained open as of April 2, with about 750 participants signed up. Packet pick-up is scheduled at the Baird Center on Friday, April 10, from noon to 6 p.m.; race officials said runners will not be able to collect packets on race day.
Runners can expect a fully paved route with two notable climbs: the incline on Lincoln Memorial Drive as it turns onto Water Tower Road, and a gentler rise on the Oak Leaf Trail. The marathon carries a five-hour course time limit because the city permit to close Lincoln Memorial Drive only covers that window. Race staff will operate a vehicle to assist participants who need help finishing within the limit.
The Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon is certified by USA Track and Field, so performances on the course can serve as qualifiers for the Boston Marathon. The incoming Boston Marathon for 2026 falls on April 20 and its registration window has closed; qualifying for Boston 2027 opened Sept. 13, 2025, and runs for nearly a year, with time standards published on the Boston Marathon website.
Additional race-week events include a free three-mile shakeout run hosted by Performance Running Outfitters at 11 a.m. Friday, April 10, starting at the Baird Center; organizers ask runners to RSVP through the event registration page. After the races conclude, Humboldt Park will host a post-race celebration featuring music and drinks from several local craft breweries, and Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View is expected to be a popular late-morning viewing spot as runners approach the finish.
More information, including the official course map and registration status for the 5K, is available on the Milwaukee Marathon website.