Schlitz Park to bring 1 mile summer road race, fall 5K to Milwaukee

Schlitz Park will bring what's believed to be Milwaukee's first-ever competitive one-mile road race and adding a new and unique event to the area's summer run-walk calendar. The 46-acre landmark office complex will also host a fall 5K race.

The Schlitz Park Miler will follow in the footsteps of such popular races as New York's Fifth Annual Mile and Rockford, Illinois' State Street Mile. The Milwaukee race will take place June 26 at 5:30 p.m.

Starting at the office park, participants will run or walk a challenging course that twists, turns, climbs, descends and loops through the adjacent historic neighborhood. Schlitz Park also announced a new 5K run-walk that will kick off the Milwaukee River Challenge weekend on September 13, at 5:30 p.m.

"These new events reflect our commitment to provide our tenants and neighbors with more than just a place to come to work," said Schlitz Park developer Gary Grunau. "With a riverfront location and access to miles of running, walking and bicycling trails, our tenants not only have spaces to take care of their careers, but also their health and well being."

For the inaugural Schlitz Park Miler, the fastest three men and women under age 20, between ages 21 and 40, and over ages 41, will be eligible for $100, $60 and $40 cash awards. The run is an ancillary event to the 11-day Tour of America's Dairyland Pro-Am bicycling stage race presented by Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Schlitz Park is the only corporate complex to host one of the series' races.

The September Schlitz Park 5K Challenge will be the first in a weekend of events ending with the Milwaukee River Challenge, the most viewer friendly rowing race in America. The 5K will feature a scenic out-and-back course north from Schlitz Park mostly on sidewalk and bike path to Kilbourn Park before returning. A one-mile family fun run-walk will circle the Schlitz Park grounds.

Proceeds for the Schlitz Park Miler will benefit DreamBikes Milwaukee, a nonprofit organization that strategically places used bicycle stores in low-income troubled communities and hires local teens. For the Schlitz Park 5K Challenge, proceeds will go to Milwaukee Riverkeeper, a nonprofit advocacy group for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers.

Registration for both events is available at www.active.com. Participants can save $10 by registering early. Schlitz Park will offer tenants reduced entry fees. Great Lakes Multisport will manage both races.