3 Great Wisconsin Marathons

There are a number of excellent marathons that take place during the summer months. Each Wisconsin marathon features beautiful scenery and well planned courses. Her e are the three top events that a runner should participate in if interested in running a Wisconsin marathon.

1. Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

This Wisconsin marathon has been around for a full three decades. The course of the Milwaukee Lakeshore Marathon winds through the rural countryside of Wisconsin for the first several miles and ends along the shores of Lake Michigan (hence the name Lakeshore Marathon). The Milwaukee Lakeshore Marathon serves as the site of the Wisconsin USATF Championship as well as the Road Runners Club of America National Marathon Championship. The female and male first place winners of the Lakeshore Marathon are awarded $500 each.

In addition to the full-length Wisconsin marathon, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon hosts a team relay event in which teams of three people complete the full race with each teammate running a third of the marathon. The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon also provides an event to encourage children to be physically active. The Lakefront Marathon Kids Run allows children aged five to fourteen to run the full distance of the Lakefront Marathon over the course of three months and complete the final mile on the day of the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

2. American Birkebeiner Trail Run

The Birkebeiner is best known as a lengthy ski race held in Hayward, Wisconsin. But now the course for the American Birkebeiner is also used to host a Wisconsin marathon, as well as a half marathon, a relay race, a 21 kilometer walk, a 5 kilometer run and a 5 kilometer walk. The Birkebeienr trail run is held annually in late September. This race is easily the most challenging Wisconsin marathon, given the extremely hilly terrain. The course involves a number of steep uphills, including Firetower Hill and the infamous (but aptly named) "Bitch Hill." The Birkebeiner trail run is often completed by the same skiers who complete the Birkebeiner ski race in the winter, making it a great gathering for the skiing community.

3. Fox Cities Marathon

Located in and around Appleton, Wisconsin, this Wisconsin marathon has been a popular event for the last twenty years. The Wisconsin marathon takes place each year in mid September. The Fox Cities marathon also includes a half marathon and a marathon relay race for those who prefer to run a shorter distance as well as a kids fun run. Also taking place the weekend of the Fox Cities Marathon is the Affinity Health and Wellness Expo, where a multitude of exhibitors demonstrate the latest in running gear and teach participants about fitness and nutrition.

Although the Fox Cities Marathon begins in Appleton, it also traverses the beautiful cities of Appleton, Kimberly, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Darboy and Menasha, before ending in Neenah.