Due to COVID-19, many popular outdoor local races were canceled. The good news is that many are seeking a return in 2021! As usual, we’ve compiled a list of 2021 local races for you to fill your summer with fun and exercise! To make it easier to find your favorite races, even if they are held virtually this year we left them categorized by the city or town they normally would be held in. A lot is still up in the air and some dates or locations are to be determined, but we wanted to provide you with an up-to-date resource for all 2021 local races.
List of 2021 Local Races
Brookfield:
Turkey Trot
November 27th, 2021 | Fox Brook Park, 2925 N Barker Rd
This year will be the 4th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Kelly Johnson Foundation.
Cudahy:
Cudahy Classic
July 2021 (TBD) | Sheridan Park
One of Wisconsin’s oldest and most storied running events, the Cudahy Classic is into its sixth decade. Dubbed “The Strider Original”, it offers a 10-mile, 5-mile, and children’s 1-mile race. Perfect for PR’s, this fast and flat 5-mile loop course goes through beautiful Sheridan park, the 10 milers get to complete the loop twice.
Delafield:
Run/Walk for Mental Health 5K – 50 states / 50 days
Complete your pledge by June 12, 2021 | Virtual (normally held in Delafield, WI)
The mission of the Five Fifty Fifty Run/Walk Series is to make the world a better place for those suffering from mental illnesses. The funds raised from this will be used by the AB Korkor Foundation to increase awareness, address the shortage of affordable care, emphasize the importance of wellness in mental health, fund research, and focus on underserved groups such as veterans, minorities and those suffering from addiction.
Badgerland 24, 12 & 6 Hour Run
September 4th, 2021 | Lapham Peak State Park
Runners will be gathering at Lapham Peak State Park to see how many miles they can cover in the time frame selected; the 12 and 6 hour divisions have day or night options. There is also the “Distance” division, for runners who want to cover a certain distance (such as a marathon, 50K, 50 miles, etc.), but feel they may need more time than the 6 or 12 hours.
Greendale:
Turkey Trot Prediction Run
November 2021, TBD
A prediction run, what is that? This event requires each runner to predict how long it will take them to finish the 15km or 2-mile course. The winners are not the first to finish, but those that finish closest to their prediction. 25 winners will receive, yep, you guessed it, a full-sized turkey.
Hales Corners:
Firecracker Four
July 4th, 2021 | Hales Corners Park
Join Badgerland Striders at Hales Corners for their 4th of July celebrations! In addition to the 4-mile timed race, there is a 1.7-mile fun run, so the whole family can get involved in the nation’s birthday.
Mequon:
Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour
September 18-19, 2021
The Scenic Shore 150 Bike Tour is a two-day, 150-mile, fully-supported cycling event that is open to riders of all ages and abilities. One of Wisconsin’s most popular bike rides, the Scenic Shore 150 is the largest locally organized and supported event for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. With our riders raising over $1.8 million we continue to be one of the premier charity cycling events in the Midwest. The beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan is the picturesque setting for a weekend of riding the shore for a cure! We invite you to join fellow cycling enthusiasts who will pedal 150-miles in support of a cure for blood cancer. Your life will be changed as you are cheered on and supported on the route by blood cancer survivors and their families! Itinerary Saturday: Riders pedal 75-miles north from Mequon to Manitowoc then spend the night in Manitowoc. Sunday: Riders begin the final 75-mile stretch toward Door Country, ending in Sturgeon Bay. On Saturday we offer a 25-mile route looping around Mequon that starts and finishes at MATC Mequon.
Milwaukee:
Capuchin Walk For The Hungry
June 12-13, 2021 | Your favorite gym, park, or neighborhood to walk (Virtual)
Register for the Capuchin Walk for the Hungry and help feed, clothe and care for those in need. St. Ben’s Community Meal serves the hungry and homeless supper 6 nights per week. The House of Peace’s Emergency Food Pantry operates one of the largest food pantries in the city. Capuchin Community Services operates both sites. We offer other services including warm clothing, blankets, bus tickets, counseling and much more.
Superun for Fallen Heroes 5K
June 16th, 2021 | East Side of Milwaukee’s Lake Park
Join the Badgerland Striders for the annual Superun 5K. This race has been a tradition for over 30 years, so grab a group of friends and join the fun! Held on the east side of Milwaukee’s Lake Park, runners will have the opportunity to run a quick 5K before enjoying the rest of their summer day in the sun.
Madison Medical Affiliates Storm the Bastille
TBD | Virtual
Bastille Days, Milwaukee’s popular French festival normally held in Cathedral Square Park, has been canceled for 2021. However, the Storm the Bastille run may still take place in a virtual format.
5K Famous Racing Sausages Run/Walk
July 17th, 2021 | Virtual
Due to COVID-19, our beloved 5K Famous Racing Sausages 5K run/walk will be held virtually on Saturday, July 17, 2021. We appreciate the support we have had in past years. We hope you will join us, collect your commemorative tech shirt and celebrate the good work of Brewers Community Foundation and Fisher House.
Run Back to School
August 28th, 2021 | In-person location TBD
After moving to a virtual format in 2020, Milwaukee Recreation is tentatively planning to host an in-person race to kick off the 2021-22 school year. Proceeds from the RBTS help to support MPS wellness and youth recreation programs.
Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon
October 3rd, 2021 | Milwaukee Lakefront
One of Milwaukee’s most popular 2021 local races, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon is where runners challenge themselves. This flat, scenic, point-to-point course travels south through rural countryside, quiet neighborhoods and finishes along the shores of Lake Michigan just north of the Milwaukee Art Museum at Veterans Park. The fall race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, so there will be serious runners along with those tackling a marathon for the first time. There is also a family-friendly 5k on marathon morning.
Wauwatosa:
Run Like A Mother Milwaukee
May 9th, 2021 | Virtual
The mission of Run Like A Mother is to fuel a woman’s journey through health and wellness, empower with education and training programs, inspire with communities, events and races, and enable through programs and partnerships.
Hartfest
June 19th, 2021 | Hart Park
Join Badgerland Striders for the Hartfest Half Marathon in Wauwatosa. The race is part of HartFest, a fun and family-friendly community event which draws nearly 10,000 attendees annually. This unique race makes its way through Hart Park, along paved bike paths and gravel trails. Stick around afterward for a beer and live entertainment, including music and dog shows!
2021 TOSA Youth Tri
August 21st, 2021 | TOSA Pool at Hoyt Park
Participants will be able to choose from two categories: FUN, which includes a 100-yard swim, 2-mile bike ride and a .6-mile run, or CHALLENGE, which is a 200-yard swim, a 4-mile bike ride and a 1.2-mile run. The course includes stages from TOSA Pool to the Menomonee River Parkway to the Oak Leaf Trail and through Hoyt Park.
TosaFest 5K
September 10-11, 2021 | TosaFest
The TosaFest 5k is slightly downhill, fast, and runners love it. Perfect PR material! The course runs through Tosa village finishing at TosaFest, Wauwatosa’s festival of music, food, and family fun, celebrating the historic village and its community spirit.
West Allis:
Cream City 5K
June 5, 2021 | Greenfield Park
Raising awareness for organ, tissue & eye Donation since 2016, the Cream City 5k will be held in Greenfield Park in West Allis. They will be staggering start times with smaller groups and practicing recommended health guidelines.
Ultra Marathons:
Glacial Trail 50M 50K
October 10th, 2021
Glacial Trail is Badgerland Striders’ fall trail ultra-marathon event. It is held in the pretty North Kettle Moraine. There are 50 km and 50-mile distances, with both courses following the Ice Age Trail in the Northern Kettle Moraine unit, and the fall colors are normally brilliant during the event.
Ice Age Trail
September 11th, 2021
Take yourself to the ultimate limit with the Ice Age Trail 50. Sign up to run the ultra marathon, 50K or half marathon in one the Midwest’s oldest endurance events. No matter if you are a seasoned vet or a first-time ultra runner, the Ice Age Trail 50 is a fantastic event.