First Call 5K, 10K, & 1/2 Marathon

Shake off the winter chill and kickstart your 2026 race season at the First Call 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon in Waukesha, WI, on March 22nd. This popular event, a key fixture in the Chilly Willy Winter Run Series, offers runners a unique opportunity to test their speed and endurance on courses renowned for being "lightning-fast" and "faster than flat". Choose your challenge from the 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), or the Half Marathon (13.1 miles), with a special 1K Kiddo's Race also available for the youngest athletes. Typical race day conditions in late March include crisp highs around 46°F and lows near 27°F, with a minimal 11% chance of precipitation, offering ideal cool running weather.

What truly sets the First Call apart is the option of two distinct Half Marathon experiences, both starting and finishing at the E.B. Shurts Environmental Education Center. Aspiring for a personal record? The Glacial Drumlin Trail presents a wide, paved, out-and-back course with minimal elevation change, promising a swift run. Alternatively, runners can embrace the scenic beauty of the Fox River Trail, a journey through the city, wetlands, and forests, featuring paths and boardwalks that offer a picturesque, albeit curvier, route. The 5K also utilizes the Fox River Trail, praised as a fast out-and-back with no street crossings to interrupt your stride. All participants will find support along the way with strategically placed aid stations offering water, sports drinks, and energy gels every 1.5 miles, along with restrooms at the start/finish and on the course.

Beyond the course, the First Call fosters a vibrant atmosphere for all. Finishers are rewarded with a unique "woodle" – a custom wooden medal from Ridgeway Woodworks – while top age-group performers receive custom woodles. After crossing the finish line, celebrate your accomplishment with hot chocolate and fresh fruit. Whether you're aiming for a new PR, enjoying a scenic run, or simply shaking off winter hibernation with fellow enthusiasts, the First Call 5K, 10K, & Half Marathon is the perfect call to action for your spring running season. Walkers are also welcome to join in the excitement.