Schlitz Park Run by the River 5K 2026

The Schlitz Park Run by the River 5K is an evening 5K run and 2-mile walk held at Schlitz Park in Milwaukee. It begins at 6:15 p.m. Central time in September. Schlitz Park is located on the former Schlitz Brewery site, meaning the race starts from a location with Milwaukee beer history, not a typical park. The course follows the Milwaukee Riverwalk, passes through Brewer's Hill, and circles Schlitz Park. Over 500 runners and walkers participate annually, including individuals, teams, corporate partners, and local residents. Gary Grunau established the event, which generates thousands of dollars each year for a local cause. The race also features a Firehouse Challenge for Milwaukee firefighters, where each firehouse is ranked by the average time of its three fastest members, with the winning firehouse receiving the Traveling Axe.