Typically cool race day weather and a flat course make the Wisconsin Marathon one of the fastest mid-Spring marathons. A good choice for those seeking PRs and BQs.
The Wisconsin Marathon was the 179th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 146th largest in 2022.
This year 13% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 12.2% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Wisconsin Marathon the 141st highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 114th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.22 ranks it as the 159th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Wisconsin.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Wisconsin Marathon a PR Score of 99.22. This PR Score ranks it as the 113th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 4th fastest in Wisconsin.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Wisconsin Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 610 feet (185m) Min Elevation: 580 feet (176m)
The course is pretty. A lot of miles next to Lake Michigan. However with the lake, it comes with wind. The 2017 Marathon compared to 2016 had much less wind. But the last 6 miles still felt very windy.
Race Tips
Mile 10-20 for sure the best strech of the course. Seems the final distance was longer than the actual 26.2. Both my running app and Garman telling me I finished the race ahead of the actual finish line.
Parking is kind confusing. It seems you can only park along the side street. We arrived one hour before the race, it was not difficult finding a parking space. There are parking lots but no signs about you can't park there. But apparently you can't.
tjb's review of 2017 Wisconsin Marathon.
2 /
5 Stars
Review
Pros: The course was well marked and the volunteers were great.
Cons: I feel like this was a budget race. There was no expo, no pacers, no age group awards. The food choices at the end were mini bagels, cheese, water, or a granola bar. I've never been to a race (even very small 5k's) with so little post race food. You could also get a brat and beer with the tab from you bib (the beer was served in a cup the size of a water cup).
Race Tips
The course wasn't bad but it looped around too many times for my taste. If it's windy (which is was in 2017), you are running the last 6 miles or so straight into the wind.
I stayed at Country Inn & Suites and was really happy with the hotel. They provided late check-out and put breakfast out early for the runners. There was plenty of parking on the streets before the race.
HM's review of 2017 Wisconsin Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
I liked running through downtown Kenosha. However, I did not like running for so long on a dirt road and the wind off the lake was absolutely hellacious for 16 out of the 26.2 miles.
Race Tips
Although I finished within my goal time, my pacing was too fast in the beginning. I don't like when they put half-marathon runners with marathon runners. It throws off the pace. The course is pretty flat but expect it to be windy because you're running right on the edge of the lake for most of it.
I live fairly locally so hotel and restaurant were not necessary.
Steve's review of 2017 Wisconsin Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
The course was okay, the sights were really nice but the long stretch of dirt road bruised up my feet a bit and the wind off the lake was out of control. Like really out of control. It made pacing really challenging. That being said, I finished with an okay time because it was very flat.
3.3 Stars from 6 Reviews
