This was an enjoyable run made better by the mild weather we were having for the month of February. Easy road race with some minor elevations and twists and turns to accomplish the 5 mile distance within a small course footprint. I also enjoyed it because it was along an area that I use on my long runs so there was familiarity for me with the terrain and its dips and whatnot. It ran along a park so there was lots of trees and playgrounds as well the river nearby. There were two aid stations (the same table in the same spot, just the volunteers swapping sides during the race) which served water. The "expo" was the packet pickup at Performance Running Outfitters, which at least offers you the chance to purchase hydration boosts (like nuun products) or Buff wear, etc. The t-shirt provided was a long sleeve cotton blend shirt. Comfortable and I actually wore it for the race (something I typically do not do). Also in the goody bag were a lot of actual useful coupon and discounts for local businesses. I was impressed that I might actually use some of them, something that I cannot always say for other races. The post race party had a pretty nice layout. There was free beer (Lakefront's Riverwest Stein, a good brew), there was different bread to have from white to wheat to rye (I believe) to go along with your free bowl of chili (I passed on the chili since I ran from my house to the start line and was going to have to run back). They provided bottled water and bananas as well. And a live band was rocking out inside the building where all the food was located. There also was a silent auction for some various gift items (a beer package included coupons to local establishments for free food/beer and another that included a Coors Light golf bag with a PBR clock are just two examples) and you could take a pic with a cutout Brett Favre, for a $1.00 donation. (All money was going to the cause - healthy heart charity. Race is named after a former city councilman who was an active person but died suddenly from a undetected heart condition) Parking was easy and accessible for runners; park at a nearby lot and get shuttled to the start line. Simple.

Overall, I enjoyed the race and will keep it on my radar for next year. I like that it had a different distance than just your normal 5Ks that are ever present. And the post race party was nicely setup and wasn't expected. No medal, but I can deal with that.

First timer with this run and it was enjoyable; a nice way to finish off the running season (if this is my last one...) and full of fun runners all dressed up in Christmas/holiday attire. I loved the peeps with menorahs are their heads! Not your typical 5K run with a water aid station but also a cookie aid station and a candy aid station as well. Oh, I can't forget to mention the Christmas music blaring away at the cookie station that you pass twice. Put the right atmosphere into the race. No elevation to speak of so no worries there for any runner out there; easy course for you to handle and fun for families to enjoy. The course runs along the Milwaukee lakefront and into Veterans Park so you have those sights to peruse as you run. There was a gear check which I used for my coat and car keys and there was free parking available and also a couple of open lots nearby so there was no issue there. The race itself provided tons of pic opportunities with a couple of giant blowup winter characters and posted Christmas looking signs to stand next to. The race finish provided water, a banana, a mini Clif bar, more cookies and, of course, the finisher medal. Packet pickup for the event was easy the day before at Fleet Feet and that included a hooded tech shirt, bib, pins, Santa hat and beard. And if you couldn't make it the day before, they had pre race pickup almost up to race time.

This was a fun event and you can choose to run your tail off or just have fun jogging and nibbling on a cookie :)

I missed out on this race in 2015, mostly because I heard about it too late and didn't want to pay up the higher entry fee. So, i made it a point to mark my calendar this year, and, boy am I glad I did. This was one of the best half's I've run due to a course that I felt was fun and beautiful to run through. Running through downtown, the East Side, Marquette University and along the lakefront was awesome. Just beautiful views and great support from the locals in the neighborhoods that we ran through. The only blemish was the areas of the actual course that were a bit narrow, as in you could maybe run next to one person but that would be it. The elevations made the course a little bit of a challenge though. Only one extreme hill and that was at the beginning. I found more trouble the 7-8 mile range where it was a gradual incline going through the MU area, but overall it was reasonable. Plenty of aid stations along the way, although I didn't utilize them thanks to my SPIbelt I had just acquired prior to this race. I felt the parking was not a problem. Bummed it cost me $8 but going into the O'Donnell parking structure gave me plenty of time to get over to the course and the gear check tent. I loved the expo the day before. Running Q&A's and having the course shown on a big screen was cool. Lots of vendors to peruse through and the volunteer staff was incredibly nice and supportive as well. Great to see the many other races there selling their courses and with deals to be had (I ended up signing up for two races next year already...) and I loved the atmosphere in general around the Harley Davidson Museum. I felt that the race management kept me dutifully informed for the last several months with pep talks, basic info, more detailed info, etc. I couldn't ask them to do more with emails and Facebook. Now, I know there were some issues concerning distances of the races and that is a problem that hopefully will be fixed or taken care of next year. It effected the marathon runners more than myself but at the end of the race I did notice my final distance was at 13.38, so there is something to be said there.
I liked my T-shirt that I received and the post race party was fun with free beer and a nice selection of food trucks in the area to provide sustenance. The results tent was in full operation, which is good, and the gear check people were right on top of getting back my stuff. The band that was playing was decent and provided plenty of entertainment as well. And if you needed a selfie, well, what better spot than the lakefront with all its splendor in the background. I was a little disappointed in the lack of a virtual goodie bag and hoped for some other coupons in the bag I did receive (i.e Performance Running Outfitters....) but it still contained some nice deals.

I am planning to run this race again and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to run a long race in Milwaukee.

This is my fourth time running this race and it never disappoints. The biggest reason it the cause: Feeding America is so important and it is so easy to come up and bring food donations or make a monetary donation and know that every little bit counts. I love that. As for the race itself, it's fun and energizing, especially having it before people head home for Thanksgiving feasts. This year it seemed like every one was feeling a buzz of energy because everyone was just hauling it through the course. Even my son improved his time from last year by 5+ minutes! The course was great, with some elevation scattered throughout it and a decently placed aid station as well. My favorite moment was running along side the train as I was heading back in the direction of Miller Park. The swag you get is acceptable: a cool long sleeve t-shirt and, at the packet pickup, a Brewers bobblehead. What kid doesn't want a bobblehead (or adult for that matter)? But I would really like is a medal and this race doesn't give one out. That being said, it is one of the cheaper races that I sign up for each year. But all I can think about is a kickass running turkey medal :) The expo was cool; inside the club level of Miller Park, where you can pick up your packet and sign up for other local races or purchase Buff gear, etc or gels and nuun packets. The organization behind the race keeps you plenty informed with emails and Instagram posts and Facebook. And parking for the event is a piece of cake; you have almost half of the Miller Park parking lots to find a spot.

All in all, if you have the opportunity to run this race, do it. It's fun and it's for a good cause. Plus, if you catch Dash (a turkey mascot person who runs the race as well) you win some select prizes. Can't go wrong!