Check out a time lapse of the Milwaukee Marathon route
Time lapse video of the Milwaukee Marathon route. The race starts on Harbor Drive and finishes at Humboldt Park.
There’ll be quite a few more street closures and tow-away zones than normal on Saturday morning, April 11, throughout Milwaukee. But they’ll be temporary — they’re for the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon.
Numerous streets on the marathon and half-marathon routes will be closed for the duration of the race.
Here are some details about the routes and a list of where and when streets will be closed Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 during the marathon events:
When is the 2026 Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon?
The 2026 Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon takes place Saturday, April 11. The marathon and half-marathon start at 7 a.m. and should finish by noon.
When is the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 5K race?
The 5K takes place Sunday, April 12, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and should be complete by 10 a.m.
Are the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon courses the same as last year?
Yes, it’s the same course as 2025, with no changes to the full marathon, half marathon or 5K.
Here is the course map.
Where does the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon course start?
The Milwaukee Marathon and half-marathon courses start on Harbor Drive at Maier Festival Park, also known as the Summerfest grounds.
Where does the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon finish?
Humboldt Park in Bay View.
What’s the general route of the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon?
After starting at the Summerfest grounds, runners head up North Lincoln Memorial Drive, up a hill at East Water Tower Road at the second mile mark. Runners then take various east-side streets and neighborhoods before arriving at the Oak Leaf Trail.
Runners all turn around on the trail and then head back toward the city. After going through the east side, Lake Park and back in the opposite direction on Lincoln Memorial Drive, runners go under the Hoan Bridge before hitting the Historic Third Ward and Walker’s Point neighborhoods.
Runners then journey through Bay View before crossing the finish line at Humboldt Park. There’s a time lapse video of the entire route above.
What roads will be closed for the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon on Saturday?
These streets will be closed to traffic between about 6 a.m. and noon Saturday, April 11, according to the City of Milwaukee’s traffic website:
- North Lake Drive from East Kenwood Boulevard to East Park Place/North Wahl Avenue
- East Newberry Boulevard from North Lake Drive to North Oakland Avenue
- North Oakland Avenue from East Newberry Boulevard to East Park Place
- East Park Place from North Oakland Avenue west to its terminus
- North Wahl Avenue from North Lake Drive to North Terrace Avenue
- North Terrace Avenue from North Wahl Avenue to North Water Tower Road
- North Water Tower Road from North Terrace Avenue to North Lincoln Memorial Drive
- North Lincoln Memorial Drive from East Michigan Street to East Clybourn Street
- East Clybourn Street from North Lincoln Memorial Drive to North Art Museum Drive
- East Summerfest Place from North Harbor Drive to East Erie Street
- East Erie Street from East Summerfest Place to North Broadway/North Young Street
- North Broadway from East Erie Street to South Water Street
- South Water Street from East Pittsburgh Avenue to East National Avenue
- East National Avenue from South Water Street to South First Street
- South First Street from East National Avenue to East Mitchell Street
- South Kinnickinnic Avenue from East Mitchell Street to East Oklahoma Avenue
- East Oklahoma Avenue from South Superior Street to South Pine Avenue/Humboldt Park Road
What roads will be closed for the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Marathon 5K race on Sunday?
Between 5:30 a.m. and noon Sunday, April 12, eastbound West Washington Boulevard from North Hawley Road/North 55th Street to Olmstead Way will be closed, according to the City of Milwaukee’s traffic website.
