Schlitz Park Run by the River 5K
About this race
Schlitz Park Run by the River 5K – Milwaukee’s Only Evening 5K Through a Vibrant Urban Market!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening run! The 2026 Run by the River 5K is back at Schlitz Park on Thursday, September 10th, offering Milwaukee’s only evening 5K experience through a vibrant urban market. This unique race and 2-mile walk takes participants along the scenic Milwaukee Riverwalk, through Brewer’s Hill, and around Schlitz Park, a vibrant office park that once was the former Schlitz Brewery.
Founded by the late Gary Grunau, a visionary behind much of downtown Milwaukee’s development, the event continues his legacy of community impact and philanthropy. Each year, over 500 runners and walkers—individuals, teams, corporate partners, and neighbors—come together for this inspiring event, raising thousands for a local cause.
This year, we’re proud to support the Ignite the Spirit Fund – Milwaukee, an organization founded by local firefighters that provides mental, emotional, and financial support to Milwaukee’s first responders and their families. On a date as meaningful as 9/11, your participation is more than a run—it’s a tribute to the courage and resilience of those who protect our city every day.
Every step makes a difference. Join us to run, walk, and give back—while experiencing a one-of-a-kind urban evening race you won’t find anywhere else.
Firehouse Challenge: Who Will Take Home the Axe?
Are you a Milwaukee firefighter, a member of the Chief Officers Association, part of the MFD Administration, or the MFD Repair Shop? Not part of MFD? We want you! Just connect with your department name and firehouse and we’ll add your team to the challenge.
Then it’s time to suit up and represent your house in the first-ever Firehouse Challenge.
Each firehouse will compete for bragging rights and the coveted Traveling Axe, proudly sponsored by Ridgeway Woodworks.
How It Works
We will take the three fastest members from each firehouse, and the team with the fastest average score will win the Firehouse Challenge Axe.
Our friends at Ridgeway Woodworks will engrave the name of the winning firehouse on the handle each year.
Not part of MFD? We want you! Just connect with your firehouse and we’ll add your team to the challenge.
Think your crew has what it takes? Let the challenge begin.
Pick your distance
Running
5K Run
Walking
2-Mile Walk
Typical race-day weather
Based on 9 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Milwaukee, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:26 AM and sets at 7:10 PM local time (CDT) in Milwaukee on September 10, 2026 — 12h 44m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
Reviews
Done this event?
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
Results — Schlitz Park Run by the River 5K
Other races near Milwaukee
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
Spooky Sprint - Milwaukee
Vets Day 5K & 10K
Turkey Trails - Milwaukee
Candy Cane Course - Milwaukee
🏃 Plan Your Next Race in Milwaukee
Find upcoming events by distance:
- Milwaukee 5K Races 54 races
- 10K Run Events in Milwaukee 18 races
- Milwaukee Half Marathons 13 races
- Marathons in Milwaukee 2 races
- Milwaukee Running Calendar 2026 64 races
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 69 Milwaukee events
Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.