Events
Half Marathon
Half Marathon - Early Start
Lake Michigan Half Marathon
The Lake Michigan Half Marathon is a scenic fall race built around one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful running backdrops: the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The event starts and finishes at Cupertino Park and follows the paved Oak Leaf Trail south along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
From Cupertino Park, participants will head south through Milwaukee County’s lakefront trail system, passing through or alongside South Shore Park, Bay View Park, Sheridan Park, Warnimont Park, and the Grant Park area before turning around and returning north to the finish.
The event is designed for runners, walkers, and ruckers who want more than another ordinary road race. With crisp fall air, lake views, changing leaves, and miles of paved trail through Milwaukee County’s south shore park system, the Lake Michigan Half Marathon delivers a memorable race experience from start to finish.
Participants will travel through a series of lakefront parks, enjoy wide-open water views, wooded trail sections, and the natural beauty that makes Milwaukee’s shoreline such a special place to run.
Whether you are chasing a goal time, completing your first half marathon, rucking the distance, walking with friends, or coming back for the return of a classic event, this race is built to be scenic, organized, and worth every mile.
The route is simple, runner-friendly, and built around the best parts of Milwaukee’s south shore: parks, trail, fall color, and Lake Michigan doing most of the heavy lifting.
Final course details are subject to municipal and park approvals, because apparently we still need permission before sending hundreds of runners down the shoreline in matching bibs.
Course maps: Half | 10K | 5K | RaceJoy
2026 Sold Out—Thank You!
The 2026 Lake Michigan Half Marathon sold out and was a huge success. Thank you to every runner, walker, rucker, volunteer, and supporter who made it happen!
Registration for 2027 is open. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Milwaukee’s lakefront!
Choose Your 2027 Event
Take on Milwaukee’s lakefront in the Half Marathon, 10K, or 5K—or bring the kids for the Kiddos 1K.
Walkers and ruckers are welcome. Select your division when you register.
Awards
Finisher Medals
Every finisher will receive a custom Lake Michigan Half Marathon medal that spins and doubles as a sun catcher.
2026 Finisher Medal. 2027 coming soon!
Overall Awards
The top overall male and female runners in each competitive distance will receive a custom award provided by our partner, Ridgeway Woodworks.
Age Group Awards
The top 3 male and female finishers in each age group will receive a custom woodle.
Age groups begin with 0–14 and continue in 5-year increments.
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 the 5K finishers. It is the award for being perfectly average, which is honestly harder than it sounds. Learn more about the Average Joe & Jane Awards.
Missed Your Medal?
If you couldn’t pick up your finisher medal at the event, you can order to have it shipped to you.
For other awards, please follow the instructions listed on the event website after race day.
T-Shirts
Race shirts are gender-specific, dry-wick, and guaranteed for those registered by noon on October 15, 2027. 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: Female shirts run small, so consider sizing up for a looser fit. 😊
Get ready to rock your custom race shirt in style!
2027 long sleeve shirt released soon!
📅 Race Day Information
When: Sunday, October 24, 2027
Where: Cupertino Park
2000 E. Iron Street
Milwaukee, WI 53207
⏰ Race Day Schedule
7:30 AM — Early Half Marathon Packet Pickup
8:00 AM — Packet Pickup Opens
8:00 AM — Early Half Marathon Start
8:45 AM — Kiddos 1K
9:00 AM — Half Marathon Start
9:10 AM — 10K Start
9:20 AM — 5K and Walk Start
12:00 PM — Course Closes
*Please note: Start times may be adjusted based on registration levels for each race.
💧 Half Marathon Aid Stations
Stay hydrated along the way! The half marathon features six aid-station locations along the out-and-back course, giving runners access to hydration on both the outbound and return trips. Approximate locations and mile markers are listed below.
| Station | Approximate Location | Outbound Mile | Return Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Plant | 1.0 | 12.25 |
| 2 | S. Lake & Hwy. 32 | 2.4 | 10.75 |
| 3 | E. Bottsford Ave. | 3.4 | 9.75 |
| 4 | E. Pulaski | 4.5 | 8.75 |
| 5 | Connector Road off E. Ramsey | 5.6 | 7.5 |
| 6 | Grant Park — Area 7/8 | 6.5 | 6.75 |
*Aid-station locations and mile markers are approximate and may be adjusted based on race-day conditions and course logistics.
Team Registration & Packet Pickup
Registering with friends, family, or coworkers? You can create or join a team during registration, or join a team later through your RunSignup profile.
Preassembled Team Packets
Teams with five or more registered members by noon on Wednesday, October 20, 2027 will have their packets preassembled as a group. Each packet includes:
- Race shirt
- A bib labeled with the participant’s name, shirt size, bib number, gender, age, and event
Team pickup: One team captain or designee must pick up the full bundle and distribute packets to teammates. Individual pickup is not available for teams receiving preassembled packets. Teams with fewer than five registered members may pick up individually.
Join or Create a Team
Already registered? You can still join or create a team:
- Sign in to your RunSignup account and open your Profile.
- Find your Lake Michigan Half Marathon registration.
- Select Group/Team.
- Join an existing team or create a new one. Joining or creating a team is free.
Team captains: If you register other participants using your own email address, they will not receive race emails directly. Use each participant’s email address when registering them, or forward important race updates to your team.
Packet Pickup FAQ
Can I pick up another person's packet? Yes. For teams receiving preassembled packets, one captain or designee picks up the full bundle.
Do I need an ID? Do pigs fly? Nope
Can I register at packet pickup? Yep
Can I pick up my packet race day? Yep
Can I transfer my race to someone else before the race? Yep
Free Fresh Fruit Bar — You've Earned It!
You crushed the miles. We brought the snacks! At Silver Circle Sports Events, the finish line isn't just the end of your race—it’s where the good stuff begins!
One of the things that sets our events apart is our FREE Fresh Fruit Bar! Every finisher is invited to enjoy fresh fruit and runner favorites like pickle juice, refreshing lemon water, and cucumber water. It's not something you'll find at every race, and it's one of the ways we make your finish-line experience special.
Great races deserve great finish lines. And great finish lines deserve snacks! Whether you conquered 13.1 miles, knocked out a 10K, or cruised through the 5K, grab some fruit. You've earned every bite! 🍉
About Silver Circle Sports Events
The Lake Michigan Half Marathon is owned, produced, timed, and managed by Silver Circle Sports Events, LLC, a veteran-owned event management company based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.
Silver Circle Sports Events provides professional race management, chip timing, registration support, course logistics, equipment, marketing support, and race-day operations for running, walking, rucking, and multisport events throughout Wisconsin.
Planning an event of your own?
Whether you are organizing a 5K, walk, fundraiser, corporate wellness event, trail race, or full race production, Silver Circle Sports Events can help bring it to life.
Need help with an event? Visit Silver Circle Sports Events or email info@silvercirclesportsevents.com.
Walkers & Ruckers Welcome
Walkers and ruckers are welcome.
Please select your desired division when registering and review the posted course-closure time to make sure you can finish before the course closes.
The Walk and Ruck divisions are timed, but they are noncompetitive. There are no age-group awards for Walk or Ruck divisions, but every registered finisher will still receive a Lake Michigan Half Marathon finisher medal.
Enjoy the course, take in the views, and have a great race.
Contact Form
Event Location
Cupertino Park
2000 E Iron St
Milwaukee, WI 53207 US
View Location on Map
