2026 Storm the Bastille - 40th Anniversary!

Storm the Bastille 5k

Presented & Produced by East Town Association

 (sponsorship available: info@easttown.com)

Join thousands of your fellow runners & walkers for the 2026 Storm the Bastille 5K Run/Walk!

Race attendees from Milwaukee gather to commemorate the storming of the Bastille, the 18th-century French prison that sparked the French Revolution. This year's 5k route will take participants through downtown Milwaukee's East Town and the Third Ward neighborhoods. While the route is not officially certified, it's close in distance. Walkers are welcome to complete the course at the halfway point (TBD). Make sure to stick around for the party that follows as we celebrate Bastille Days!

• Special edition Storm the Bastille 40th Anniversary t-shirt
• Timed Bib 
• Post-race Michelob Ultra or bottled water

Storm the Bastille kicks off Bastille Days, Milwaukee’s popular French festival and one of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations. This free, four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors to downtown Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park annually who enjoy a variety of live music, an international marketplace, French and Cajun cuisine, and roaming busker entertainment.

FAQS

Tuesday July 7 location TBD

Packet pickup on race day is 6:30-8:30pm under the white tent in the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park. Please arrive early as we need to shut the tent down at 8:30 p.m. to prepare for the race, and have the QR code that is attached to your registration confirmation email ready.

**PICKUP will close at 8:30 p.m. so arrive early to avoid lines

The Hop is open until midnight. Park anywhere along the route and ride it to Cathedral Square for FREE.

If you're driving, please arrive prior to 8 p.m. to avoid road closures. 

• 770 Garage - 518 E Mason St.
• Cathedral Square Garage - 530 E Mason St. 
• Gas Light Garage - 730 N Jackson St.

Fast runners, please move toward the front of the start line. Average and slower-paced runners, we ask that you stay toward the back near Cathedral Square Park to allow the competitive runners to start first. Remember, your official time begins when you cross the start line and ends when you cross the finish line, so there’s no need to rush.

Please stay toward the back near Cathedral Square Park and allow the runners to take off first. If you plan to walk only half the race, please end your walk at Wells Street and return directly to the park. Be sure to avoid Jefferson Street and the official finish line area.

There will be multiple water locations, specifics TBD. 

The start line will be on Jefferson street, heading south, and the race will finish at the same location. Afterwards, please proceed to the water truck on Wells St. You can then redeem your FREE Michelob Ultra or bottled water at any bar location.  

Your drink coupon is attached to your race bib. Tear it off to redeem at any of our bar locations. You can choose either a Michelob Ultra or a bottled water.

Join fellow runners on July 9, 2026 for the 2026 Storm the Bastille - 40th Anniversary!. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Milwaukee.