Madison Mini Marathon

Madison reaps a lot of kudos – most walkable city, best road-biking city, most vegetarian-friendly, environmentally friendly and just plain all-round friendliest city in the USA. Ensconced on a narrow isthmus between Mendota and Monona Lakes, it's a pretty combination of small, grassy state capital and liberal, bookish college town. An impressive foodie/locavore scene has been cooking here for years. With that being said, the Madison Mini Marathon is the place to be.Set for its annual running this year, the Madison Mini Marathon & 5K has been a smashing success in its first few years, as the race has often sold out with around 6,000 runners crossing the finish line in both the half marathon and the 5K race combined — with more than 3,900 runners finishing the half marathon alone.Weave your way through beautiful downtown Madison and experience the UW Campus at its’ best. Whether you are local, a returning alumni or experiencing Madison for the first time this scenic 13.1 mile journey will showcase some of the best Madison has to offer with the 14th rated half marathon according to the 2013 Runner's World ranking. Along the way you will have the support of 10 cheer aid stations offering both support and entertainment. Whether you are participating in the Mini or the 5K you will be greeted by amazing volunteers at the finish line who will adorn you with your well deserved medal and post race snacks. No finish is complete without an amazing post-race party on Union Terrace complete with live music and a complimentary beer from Wisconsin Brewing Company (for those 21+).

Madison reaps a lot of kudos – most walkable city, best road-biking city, most vegetarian-friendly, environmentally friendly and just plain all-round friendliest city in the USA. Ensconced on a narrow isthmus between Mendota and Monona Lakes, it's a pretty combination of small, grassy state capital and liberal, bookish college town. An impressive foodie/locavore scene has been cooking here for years. With that being said, the Madison Mini Marathon is the place to be.Set for its annual running this year, the Madison Mini Marathon & 5K has been a smashing success in its first few years, as the race has often sold out with around 6,000 runners crossing the finish line in both the half marathon and the 5K race combined — with more than 3,900 runners finishing the half marathon alone.Weave your way through beautiful downtown Madison and experience the UW Campus at its’ best. Whether you are local, a returning alumni or experiencing Madison for the first time this scenic 13.1 mile journey will showcase some of the best Madison has to offer with the 14th rated half marathon according to the 2013 Runner's World ranking. Along the way you will have the support of 10 cheer aid stations offering both support and entertainment. Whether you are participating in the Mini or the 5K you will be greeted by amazing volunteers at the finish line who will adorn you with your well deserved medal and post race snacks. No finish is complete without an amazing post-race party on Union Terrace complete with live music and a complimentary beer from Wisconsin Brewing Company (for those 21+).

The race takes runners on an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at Madison’s Memorial Union Terrace along the shore of Lake Mendota, and follows what is basically a clockwise loop route through the city.Several of the city’s most well-known sights can be seen along the race course, including the Wisconsin State Capitol building, the Kohl Center (the home of the University of Wisconsin’s Badgers basketball team), the campus of the University of Wisconsin and a long looping stretch around the southern end of Lake Wingra just south of downtown.Runners leave the starting line near the Wisconsin Historical Society and follow the route first northeast along Langdon Street and Wisconsin Avenue, where runners turn right and head toward the state capitol building.Runners follow Pinckney, Main Street and Carroll Street around the corners of the capitol building, and then turn onto State Street, where they head west until they reach the intersection with Lake Street.At Lake, runners turn left and head south toward the Kohl Center — which if you’re a basketball fan, will hold a special significance — and then turn right along Dayton and head toward the commuter path, which they follow until meeting up with Spring Street.Runners then make turns on Randall, Adams, Garfield and then again on Villas Avenue, which brings them southward toward the waters of Lake Wingra and the nearby University of Wisconsin Arboretum, whose more than 1,200 acres of wooded trails and meadows are open to the public.The course then makes a loop all the way around the southern end of the lake through the arboretum, along the paved Arboretum Drive. Runners exit the park onto Manitou Way, where they turn right and start heading north past the fairways of the Nakoma Country Club, turning again on Monroe Street and Commonwealth Avenue.The last few miles of the race bring the field into the expansive University of Wisconsin campus, all the way to the finish line on Park Street.

Enjoy running a scenic course that includes all of Madison's Landmarks: Capitol Square, the World Famous Dane County Farmer's Market, State Street, Camp Randall Stadium, Kohl Center, the Arboretum (including wild turkeys), Picnic Point and the University of Wisconsin Campus. The BMO Harris Bank Madison Mini-Marathon & 5K presented by UW Health is a must-do on the Wisconsin running calendar. After your hard work is complete, join us at the 14th Mile Post-Race Party where you will receive a COMPLIMENTARY BEER from Wisconsin Brewing Company and enjoy music by WheelHouse as you overlook gorgeous Lake Mendota.

WATER AND GATORADE AID STATIONS There will be 10 aid stations along the course and at the start/finish. All Aid Stations on the course, will have a medical personnel and portable toilets located near each location. AID STATION LOCATIONS Mile 1.75, Mile 3.25, Mile 4.75, Mile 6.2, Mile 7.5, Mile 8.75, Mile 9.9, Mile 10.75, Mile 11.25, Mile 12.2 MISTING STATION The Mini features FIVE Misting Stations to help keep you cool, if the weather requires. Mile locations for the Misting Stations are: 8.4, 9.5, 10.2, 10.75, and 12.2. RESTROOM FACILITIES Portable toilets will be added in locations throughout the course. The portable toilets will be located at each aid station.

For your safety and for the timely reopen of the streets to vehicular traffic, you must reach key locations by specified times or you will be required to take transportation provided. Partial lane closures will be utilized. Please stay inside the cones and obey all public safety officers and course marshals. PLEASE DO NOT START EARLY! Traffic and safety rules prohibit early starts. Early starters will be eliminated from the Official Results. If you cannot maintain an 16-minute per mile pace, you will be required to board the support buses.SAG (SUPPORT) WAGON AND BACK OF THE PACK CREW The Back of the Pack Crew and SAG Wagon will signify the end of the field and the maximum 16-minutes per mile pace. They will not start timing until the last person crosses the start line and will be with you throughout the race. If you cannot keep pace, the Crew will help you as you board the SAG Wagon.