Attention runners of all ages: Inaugural "Milwaukee Running Festival" set for 2015!
MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Milwaukee Marathon Inc. has announced an inaugural "Milwaukee Running Festival" set for 2015! The three-day event will include a marathon, half marathon, 5K and one-mile race.
All races will be staged within the city of Milwaukee, and will take place October 30th through November 1st, 2015.
Milwaukee's Public Works Committee has approved a resolution authorizing city officials to work with Chris Ponteri (the executive director of Milwaukee Marathon Inc.) and his team to draft and finalize an operating agreement between the city and Milwaukee Marathon, Inc.
This cleared the way for organizers to officially announce the event’s name — Milwaukee Running Festival — and to preview plans for the inaugural event.
The festival will feature the first marathon to be routed entirely through the city of Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and landmarks, allowing participants to experience the city in a unique way.
“We’re excited to be able to showcase the neighborhoods and landmarks that make Milwaukee such a vibrant place to live,” said Ponteri. “This event will attract people from all over the country, and offer a unique experience to runners of all ages, experience levels and abilities.”
According to Ponteri, the event promises to have a significant economic impact on Milwaukee.
“In cities such as Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Minneapolis, the combination of a marathon and half marathon has led to significant economic benefits. Studies have shown that the economic impact of a marathon alone is $800 per participant. Depending on the total number of participants, the Milwaukee Running Festival’s economic impact on the city of Milwaukee and area businesses should easily run into the millions of dollars,” Ponteri said.
Milwaukee Running Festival is also putting a major emphasis on charitable partnerships, with a goal of contributing $250,000 to partner charities during its inaugural year. Charities that are approved as partners will receive assistance with fundraising and recruitment efforts.
Milwaukee’s Summerfest grounds will serve as the start and finish area for the marathon and half marathon. Along the way, runners will progress through a wide variety of Milwaukee neighborhoods, including Downer Avenue, Brady Street, Brewers’ Hill/Commerce Street, East Town, West Town, Sherman Park, Walker’s Point, the Third Ward and others. The proposed route also passes a host of landmarks, including Miller Park, the Harley-Davidson Museum, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Marquette University and The Milwaukee Art Museum.
The 5K and one-mile races will be staged in downtown Milwaukee.
Online registration for Milwaukee Running Festival opens December 8th.
In the meantime, those interested in participating in the event can sign up for email updates at www.milwaukeerunningfestival.com, or follow The Milwaukee Running Festival at www.twitter.com/mkerunfest and www.facebook.com/mkerunfest.
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