Race Review: Milwaukee Running Festival Half Marathon

"Disclaimer:  I received a free entry to Milwaukee Running Festival as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

Milwaukee Running Festival Half Marathon

Sunday, November 6th, 2016

Veteran's Park, Milwaukee, WI

Gun Time: 7:15 am

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This is the second year that the Milwaukee Running Festival has been here and they have really stepped up their game this year! (read my recap from last year here)

 The first thing I want to mention is that they clearly took feedback from the runners who participated last year. There was most certainly beer at the finish, in fact there were several options! It would have been nice for MKE RunFest to partner with a local microbrewery, since there are so many in Milwaukee, but I guess MillerCoors was alright. Sprecher was also there with flavored sodas.

The Finish Line Party was set up like a giant backyard party! There was a DJ playing a variety of music to appeal to everyone that was hanging out. Picnic tables were available for people to sit at. There were food trucks with a variety of different cuisines and of course, DONUTS!

There was also a rock climbing wall and a bouncy house...I guess to make it "fun for the whole family". 

(The half marathon/marathon course via)

Packet Pick-Up was at the Harley Davidson Museum and took place from 10-5 after the 1-Mile and Kid's Run Milwaukee Race on Saturday, November 5th. Local running stores as well as other local races had booths. To be honest, the bib pick-up was poorly organized compared to last year - usually, bibs are arranged alphabetically by last name and there are signs above the tabled indicating the letters corresponding to each line. It was somewhat of a free for all with volunteers running every which way and looked like total chaos. I was in and out quickly, but I knew one of the volunteers. ;)

(I got to meet up with Eric, another BibRave Pro!)

After the expo, I met some of the wonderful Oiselle WI ladies for coffee at Anodyne Coffee Roasters,  where I purchased a pound of their Milwaukee Running Festival blend. It was the perfect start to race morning!

(I enjoyed my morning coffee with my favorite Sarah Marie Designs mug.)

Angie, a BibRave Pro who hails from Iowa and was running the marathon, came into town in the evening and bunked at my house for the evening. We decided to hit up Noodles and Co. since participants got a free noodle bowl as part of running the event!

(#allthenoodles)

After discussing our game plan for parking in the morning and what time we should leave, we both hit the hay with plans to be up and ready to race! Angie also almost got Arthur as a bedfellow.

(Flat Laura is ready to race!)

My color palette was pink and orange, because #orangeisthenewfast and pink is my signature color ;) Plus I run all races with my Orange Mud Hydraquiver, so of course everything should match, right?

I decided it would be easiest to park in the O'Donnell Parking Structure across from the Milwaukee Art Museum and walk to the start. It was chilly, in the high 40's, but sunny, which brought a promise of warmer temps. 

Angie went off to the start and I hung out with some of my Oiselle peeps.

(Ready to hit the ground running!)

The start was delayed slightly to allow the marathoners to get a mile or so out before the half marathoners began. There are no corrals, but there are pacers and runners were encouraged to line up by pace group. I saw a few other runner friends, chatted for a bit, and we were off!

I love this course. It shows off the best parts of Milwaukee and really displays the mishmash of culture that we have here. I thought it was hilarious that Old German Beer Hall (OGBH for us locals) was already open and there was an accordion player and lots of pepped up spectators enjoying a liter out on the street. 

Aid stations I felt were spaced out perfectly. All the volunteers were very upbeat and many of them were in costume or matching outfits and had music playing. Performance Running Outfitters ran the water stop at mile 10 and it was all Packers-themed! Each aid station had water and Gatorade Endurance.

There was a slight change to the course about a week out from race day that was due to the city ripping up a chunk of road that was supposed to be part of the course. 

The last three miles ran along the lakefront, around the Summeriest grounds, Discovery World, and past the Milwaukee Art Museum. We were in direct sun but the breeze off the lake assisted with keeping all the runners cool. 

In the Finisher's Chute, volunteers passed out the medals then had bananas, water, cookies, chocolate milk, and Clif bars. The website said that each finisher would also get a mylar blanket but there weren't any to be had. 

The 27th Mile Finish Line Party was a lot of fun and encouraged many people to hang around afterwards. I waited to see all my marathoner friends finish (and my phone died, so I couldn't take anymore pictures). 

(Sporting my medal, like a boss!)

I love that they integrated the MKE skyline into the medal. This is really an event that celebrates the city.

(Ang and I sporting our hard-earned medals!)

Some of the perks of running this race:

• build-up runs are hosted every weekend beginning in July and they're free
• free race photos
• beer at the finish line
• long-sleeve finisher's shirt
• snacks/fuel and water at the finisher's chute
• peppy aid stations to keep you moving
• great tour of Milwaukee
• Finish Line Party with music, beer, and tons of food options

(free race photos? YES!)

I think that this race has a ways to go before it's perfect, but it's nice to see that improvements were made from last year based on participant feedback. Chris Ponteri clearly love the Milwaukee running community and wants to make this a wonderful event for runners of all abilities!

Check out my race review on BibRave!