Cycling & running events in Appleton, 2026

Appleton Training Notes

Running: Appleton runners keep the Fox River and park paths in the weekly mix, with Apple Creek Trail, CE Trail, Newberry Trail, and the Fox Valley Technical College Wellness Trail System handling easy miles and intervals. Bruce B. Purdy Nature Preserve, High Cliff State Park, and the Trails at Mosquito Hill give locals softer footing when Z2 needs a break from pavement. Fleet Feet Fox Valley meets Tuesday evenings at Appleton Beer Factory, 603 W. College Ave, with organized routes of up to 6 miles. PaceSetters of Wisconsin meets Saturdays at Copper Rock Coffee Shop outside summer. Community First Fox Cities Marathon, Paperfest Sunset 5K, Houdini 10k, and Festival Foods Turkey Trot Appleton anchor the calendar.

Cycling: Appleton cyclists get plenty to work with because the Fox Valley region carries over 340 miles of trails and bicycle-friendly routes. Loop the Locks runs 15 miles through Fox River locks, dams, and trestle bridges. Fox Cities Cycling Association keeps the scene moving with Moonlight Rides, Slow Rolls, and Breakfast Rides. Bike to the Beat with myTEAM TRIUMPH gives riders an anchor event. The South Loop climbs 92 m over 5 km, and North-West Loop gains 138 m over 43 km, so locals find the climbs in the rollers and peaks-and-valleys routes.

Season: July and August bring the best riding months, and locals use the warm to hot summer stretch for longer base miles, gran fondo prep, and steady trail time. PaceSetters of Wisconsin starts summer training runs at 7:00 am every Saturday from May 30, 2026 through September 12, 2026 at Telulah Park, 1300 East Newberry Street. Appleton winters feel rather cold, but precipitation stays moderate compared with other Great Lakes areas, so snowfall is lighter than in many cold regions. Fleet Feet Fox Valley shifts into the December-to-February Coffee Run/Walk at 8:00 AM at The Plaza in Neenah, and cyclists keep the fitness honest when roads and trails allow.