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Independence Day Run

June 28, 2025
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Independence Day Run

June 28, 2025 Waukesha, WI 53189 US

Information

Independence Day Run 🏃‍♀️

Kick off your 4th of July celebrations with a burst of energy at the Independence Day Run! Whether you’re running, walking, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, this patriotic event is the perfect way to celebrate freedom, fitness, and fun with friends and family.

Fox River Park offers a stunning natural setting with mature woodlands, wetlands, and a variety of wildflowers. It’s the perfect place to escape and feel like you’re in the northern woods of Wisconsin—without ever leaving Waukesha County.

Celebrate the spirit of freedom and independence with an unforgettable morning of fitness, fun, and community. Start your holiday on the right foot—literally!

Run, walk, or cheer… and let freedom ring! 🏅

📍 Important GPS Tip:
When navigating to Fox River Park, use the address, not the park name. Many GPS units may direct you to a different park!

Events

Half Marathon

$45 8:00AM CDT
110 spots left. Price increases after April 28, 2025 at 11:59pm CDT
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Half Marathon - Early Start

$45 7:00AM CDT
15 spots left. Price increases after April 28, 2025 at 11:59pm CDT
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10K

$32.50 8:00AM CDT
198 spots left. Price increases after February 27, 2025 at 11:59pm CST
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5K Run

$32.50 8:00AM CDT
198 spots left. Price increases after February 27, 2025 at 11:59pm CST
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Walker Friendly!

5K Walk

$32.50 8:00AM CDT
40 spots left. Price increases after February 27, 2025 at 11:59pm CST
Sign Up

Kids 1K Run

$0 7:45AM CDT Registration ends June 28, 2025 at 11:59am CDT
Open to ages 12 and under.
Sign Up

Race Location

FOX RIVER PARK
W264 S4500 River Road
Waukesha, WI 53189 US

T-Shirts

Race shirts are gender-specific, dry-wick, and guaranteed for those registered by noon on June 13. After that, shirts will be available only while online supplies last. Don’t miss your chance to grab a custom race shirt—register early! 🎽👟

Everything you need to know about shirts

Important Note: The female shirts run small, so consider sizing up for a looser fit. 😊

Get ready to rock your custom race shirt in style! 

Run/Walk Courses

Course Details

5K / 10K

  • The course winds through a beautiful forest canopy with a surprising number of elevation changes.
  • 10K runners: The 10K is two laps of the 5K course.
    • Reminder: Do not cross the finish line until you have completed both laps.

Half Marathon

  • 1 loop inside the park on the 5K course + 1 out-and-back on the Fox River Trail (paved) = 1 loop.
  • You will complete this loop twice to finish the half marathon.

Please note: Course distances are approximate due to the nature of trail running. As much as we’d love to, the friendly park staff won’t let us cut down trees to create new paths! 

Course Markings:

    • 12x12 turn arrows
    • 3-foot tall course signs
    • Orange SCSE cones

We don’t use traditional trail tape or markings—instead, all turns are clearly marked with signs for your guidance.

Walkers Welcome!

Walkers are welcome to join any distance. Just select your desired distance when registering and check the course closure time to ensure you can finish before the course closes.

Although the Walk Division is timed, it’s not competitive, and there are no age group awards. However, walkers will still receive a finisher woodle! 🎉

Enjoy the trail and have a great walk! 🏃‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Awards, Awards & More Awards

🏆 Overall Awards
The top overall male and female runners in each distance will receive a custom award provided by our partner, Ridgeway Woodworks.

🥇 Age Group Awards
The top 3 male and female finishers in 5-year age groups will receive a custom woodle. Age groups start at 0-14, then continue in 5-year increments.

What's a woodle?

🎉 Finisher Woodles
Every participant will receive a magnet woodle crafted by Ridgeway Woodworks as a special keepsake

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️The Average Joe & Jane Awards
Not everyone can be first, but someone has to land right in the middle—and we celebrate that! The Average Joe & Jane Awards are presented to the male and female runners who finish exactly in the middle of all registered participants. More about the Average Joe & Jane awards.

🏃‍♀️🏆WTA Running Team Challenge 
As part of our effort to increase awareness of Run Local / Buy Local, we’ve created the WTA Running Team Challenge. The goal is to highlight local running managers (that’s us), running stores, and running teams (that’s all of you) in a fun and competitive format! More about the WTA Team Challenge.

🏅 Miss Your Award?
If you missed picking up your award, here’s how to get it.

Celebrate your achievement and take home something special!

FREE Fresh Fruit Bar

Kiddos Run for Free!

Kids can participate in the FREE Kiddo's 1K if a parent is registered for the event. 🎉

Here’s what they’ll get:

  • A race bib
  • A finisher medal
  • A puppy, sugar straw, energy drink & kazoo!
  • Ok, one of the above bullet points is not true

Important: Registration is required for kids to participate.

Optional: Shirts are available for purchase during registration if you'd like one for your little runner! 🏃‍♂️🏅

Race Day Packet Pickup & Schedule

Bring Your QR Code!
Please have your QR code ready for scanning.

  • You don’t need to print it—just have the QR code accessible on your mobile device or save a screenshot to your photo library.
  • Packet pickup tips

Early Packet Pickup
📅 Friday, June 27, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍 Rogan's Shoes, Brookfield
19770 Bluemound Rd.
Brookfield, WI 53045

We understand that things come up and you might be running late, but unfortunately, we’re unable to stay past 1:00 PM for early packet pickup. Why? Because we need to head back to the office to pack and prepare for the race. Thanks for understanding, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience! 🙏

📅 Sunday, June 28, 2025
📍 Race Site

  • 6:45 AM: Packet Pickup Opens
  • 7:00 AM: Half Marathon Early Start
  • 7:45 AM: 1K Kiddo's Race Starts
  • 8:00 AM: 5K, 10K and Half Marathon Start
  • 9:30 AM: Half Marathoners must have started final lap
  • 10:30 AM: Finish Line Breakdown
  • 11:00 AM: Course Closes

Course Timing and Early Start Policy

As much as we’d love to spend endless time at our favorite race sites, our permits limit the time we can occupy the course. To comply with these restrictions, the course will close for the final lap at 9:30 AM, and participants will not be permitted to continue once the course is officially closed.

Early Start Option for Half Marathoners
If you're concerned about finishing the half marathon within the allotted time, we're here to help you achieve your running goals! We offer an early start option for half marathoners who need extra time.

  • Important Details:
    • Early starters will receive a chip time.
    • Early starters are not eligible for age group or series awards.
    • The course may not yet be fully set up:
      • Markings, course marshals, police, and aid stations may not be in place.
      • The course will remain open to the public.
    • Early starts are available only for half marathon participants.

Important Rules:
🚫 Non-Half Marathon Participants: Those starting early in other races will not receive an official time and will be disqualified.

🚫 Continuing After Closure: Participants who continue after being asked to stop will also be disqualified.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for everyone! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Parking Information 🚗

Parking is available at the parks, but please note that a $6.00 county park day pass or an annual pass is required. Both the annual pass and day pass must be purchased online BEFORE the event—no in-person payment will be available on the day of the event.

Plan ahead to secure your pass and ensure a smooth parking experience. Visit the park's official website to make your purchase. 

Buy Now

Day of Registration

We highly recommend registering in advance—it’s quick and can be done from your phone!
If you choose to register on race day, you must register electronically (aka - bring your phone); paper registration is not available.

See you on race day! 

Aid Stations & Bag Drop

 

Aid Station Locations

  • Mile 1.5
  • Mile 2.5
  • Finish Line

For the Half Marathon, there is an additional aid station at Mile 3.5 on the out-and-back section, which runners will pass twice per lap.

All aid stations will be stocked with water and sports drinks to keep you fueled and hydrated throughout your run.

On-Course Bag Drop
An on-course bag drop area will be available for your nutrition and hydration items:

  • Location: On the paved path between the park entrance and the boat launch.
  • Instructions: Place your bag in the designated bag drop area before the race. Both sides of the path can be used, but bags must be placed on the grass, not the path.
  • This is a self-placement and self-serve bag drop area.

Coolers and chairs are permitted, and both sides of the path can be used for convenience. Plan ahead to ensure a smooth and comfortable race experience!

Restrooms

  • Start/Finish Line
  • Additional portolets are available near the start/finish

For more details, view the Park Map.

Volunteer Opportunities

We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with everything from aid station support to course marshaling. Your assistance makes these events possible, and we’d greatly appreciate your help!

Volunteer Perks:
All volunteers will receive a free entry to a future race as a thank-you for their time and support.

How to Volunteer:

  • Click the Volunteer link in the menu above to sign up.
  • For more details on volunteering, click here.

To request your free entry, simply visit our volunteer website! 

 

I Want To...

How to Transfer, Defer, Change Shirt Size, or Change Distances

Follow these steps to make changes to your race registration:

  1. Go to RunSignUp.com and log in to your account.
  2. Select your Profile.
  3. Scroll down to the race you wish to modify.
  4. Click on "Manage Registration".
  5. Choose from the available options in the menu, including:
    • Transfers (to another participant or race)
    • Change Shirt Size
    • Modify Team
    • Change Distances
    • Resend Confirmation/QR Code
    • Deferrals

Make your adjustments quickly and easily online! 😊

If you're a Wisconsin Trail Assail Series runner, this process won't work for you. Please contact us, and we'll be happy to assist! 

This is a Cupless Race!

The Wisconsin Trail Assail Series is now a cupless series! 🌱

Why?
The idea of tossing 100,000+ cups into landfills each year doesn’t align with the values of most runners—or ours! 

What Does This Mean?

  • Aid stations are NOT going away. There will still be water and sports drinks available at events—but no cups!
  • You’ll need to bring a reusable cup or hydration vest.

Thank you for joining us in making a positive impact on the environment while enjoying the trails! 🌲💧

Charity Partner

The Silver Circle Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to support our firefighters, police officers, veterans, and troops serving overseas.

Through charitable giving, care packages, and fundraising efforts, we aim to provide much-needed assistance and show our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Your participation helps make a difference—thank you for supporting this important cause!❤️

Partner with Us for Your Workplace Wellness Program!

Let us support your workplace wellness initiatives and make it easy to get your team involved.

How It Works:

  1. Reach Out: Share your workplace information with us.
  2. Custom Code: We'll create a unique discount code for your wellness members to use during registration. The code can waive or reduce the registration fee based on the discount your program offers.
  3. Post-Race Invoice: The day after the race, we’ll send you an invoice for the discounted registrations, which can be conveniently paid online.

It’s that simple! Let’s work together to promote health and wellness in your workplace.

Insurance

We get it—life happens! That’s why we recommend purchasing event insurance during checkout.

What is RegShield Insurance?
Race insurance, provided by RegShield (a FanShield product), offers peace of mind by reimbursing the registration cost if you’re unable to attend due to covered reasons, including:

  • Accident
  • Illness
  • Family emergency

Need Help with Insurance?
RegShield is a third-party provider. For any questions related to your plan, contact FanShield:
📧 help@fanshield.com
📞 1-844-849-4827 EXT. 1

Get a Refund by Referring Friends

Share the fun and earn rewards! On your registration receipt, you’ll find a unique registration link and a Facebook share option.

Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Share your unique link or post to Facebook.
2️⃣ For every 5 friends who register using your link, you’ll get $20 back on your registration!

Invite your friends and turn your next adventure into a team effort! 🎉

Silver Circle Sports Events

This event is proudly produced, timed, owned, and managed by Silver Circle Sports Events, LLC. 🎉

Any questions? Contact us today!

If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.

Map Location

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