FAQs

7:00am on Saturday, May 3, 2025. 

Kenosha is located on the Wisconsin/ Illinois border, on Lake Michigan. It is roughly a one hour drive from northern Chicago and a 50 minute drive from Milwaukee. 

You can find prices for all three races HERE. Please note that the prices go up as we get closer to race day, so sign-up early 

Yes, you can switch any time before you pick up your packet. Email Jonathan for details or go into your profile at the registration page and switch your info under “edit my entry.” 

Yes, but please be aware we have a 6:30 time limit, which translates to roughly 15:00 per mile pace. If you are slower than that, you may be moved to the sidewalk in some places by police and volunteers, as the roads need to be opened up after that time. Half marathoners have a little more leeway time, since the marathon course is two loops. 

We have four packet pick-up times and locations for 2025: Chicagoland, the Milwaukee area, and in Kenosha. Back again, we also have RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP at the race site.  See our PACKET PICK-UP page for exact times. Please note that you MUST pick-up you packet at one of these times or select the option to have it mailed out to you when you register. 

You do not need to let us know ahead of time where you plan on picking up your packet. We will have all the packets at each location.

You may have a friend or family member pick up your packet for you. They may need a copy of your confirmation email to get your packet. Please note, if you are picking up your packet on race day, other people that will be doing that as well, so please be sure to get there at least an hour before the race to avoid any lines. 

Yes! Save gas and make someone else go. Anyone can pick up your packet. All they need is your name and a copy of your confirmation email. 

Yes! Our marathon is a USATF certified event, and therefore meets all the requirements to be a Boston Qualifier. (Our flat course is sure to help you reach your goal time.) 

There is plenty of parking around downtown Kenosha on the streets and in lots. Maps will be available at packet pick-up. CLICK HERE for more details on parking. 

Past participants have called our course one of the most beautiful they have ever run. Most of the course runs along Lake Michigan’s lakefront, and the path will take you through downtown Kenosha, area parks and beaches, and residential areas. We cap everything off with a stunning finish along Lake Michigan. 

Technically yes, we have police and course marshals all over the course to keep it car free and keep everyone safe. However, please note that our course does go through some residential neighborhoods, and try as we might, it is impossible to keep everyone from just pulling out of their driveways. We alert all residents well ahead of time, but please be alert, just in case. 

 Yes, that is true. In Pleasant Prairie, there is a short gravel road section that is about a mile long. The Village of Pleasant Prairie does a pretty good job of filling up any bigger divots a couple days before the race.  

We will have aid stations roughly every two miles. Each station will have water, Gatorade, port-a-potties, medical staff, and the best volunteers in the Midwest! 

There are also several trash cans near the aid stations. Please use them! We would like to keep the city clean and the residents appreciate it as well. 

The All-Cheese Corral was a really fun idea we had that we pretty much put there because we liked the photos it produced. We have grown up since then- try as we might- and have decided that the All-Cheese Corral has run its course and will not be returning. We do still encourage our runners to dress in their best cheesy outfit, though. Who doesn’t love a little fun? 

No course changes are planned for this year. 

Yes, we will have pacers at the race. They will be marathon pacers (meaning they’ll take the half marathoners through their first loop, too), and they will lead paces about every 15 minutes between 3:30 and 6:00. 

Yes, participants are allowed to wear headphones, but it is recommended that you keep the volume level low in order to hear any instructions by race officials or anything else that may be happening around you. 

Marathon and Half marathon runners receive a custom Big Cheese Finisher Medal. 5k runners receive a 5k Finisher ribbon.  

Yes, showers will be available to use at the Kenosha YMCA after the race. You must show your ID, race bib, and bring your own towel. Please note that the Kenosha YMCA is about a 10-minute drive from downtown Kenosha.   

If you have registered for the race and cannot run, we have three options for you:

1. You can defer your registration to next year. (Option available until March 31 only.)
2. You can transfer your bib to a friend.
3. You can switch to a different distance.

There is no additional fee to defer or transfer your bib, but please note that refunds are not available for any reason. 

Yes, please attach your pull tab from your race bib to your bag.  

We usually recommend arriving to the race site about 45 minutes before the race to stretch, hydrate, drop gear, and use the bathroom. Most of our parking is in downtown and it is about a 10 minute walk to the start area, so plan accordingly.  

Nope, we’re just cheesy!