Milwaukee’s Only Downtown and Nighttime 5K Run/Walk, Storm the Bastille, Returns in Person for 2022

Milwaukee, WI – May 17, 2022 – Get ready for the Storm the Bastille Run/Walk which returns in person, for the first time since 2019, on the festival’s opening night Thursday, July 14 at 9 p.m.

Thanks to East Town Association and presenting sponsor Associated Bank, as many as 5,000 runners and walkers from across the area can expect the same great 5K route through Downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. Volunteers from Associated Bank will support the run/walk and provide water halfway through the race and at the finish.

“Associated Bank is excited to welcome back Bastille runners, walkers and spectators to downtown Milwaukee,” said John Utz, Executive Vice President, head of corporate banking and Milwaukee market president.  “As the largest bank headquartered in the state, Associated is committed to continuing to play an important role in Milwaukee’s future through strategic investments to drive economic and cultural development for our community, customers and colleagues.”

Race registration includes a Storm the Bastille T-Shirt & Bib. Early Bird registration for $25 runs through May 31 at runsignup.com/stormthebastille5k. Registrants can opt to donate additional funds to restore the Eiffel Tower so it can return next year for Bastille Days 40^th Anniversary. New this year – the race will be timed by Silver Circle Sports Events.

East Town Association is also partnering with Michael Sampson of SWARMM Events to help make this year’s Run/Walk better than ever. “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Bastille Days team helping to promote Milwaukee’s only downtown and nighttime 5K run/walk event,” said Sampson.

The event commemorates the storming of the Bastille, the 18th-century French prison that sparked the French Revolution. Some runners embrace the theme by dressing up in creative French outfits. Runners can expect a variety of festival entertainment before, during, and after the race.

This run is part of Bastille Days, Milwaukee’s popular French festival and one of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations, which is held in Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park downtown. The free four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors annually who enjoy live music, an international marketplace, chef and wine demos, French and Cajun cuisine and roaming busker entertainment.

East Town Association is a non-profit that is fully funded through event sponsorship, sales, membership fees and donations. The organization, which also produces Jazz in the Park and the Cathedral Square Market, is grateful to this year’s sponsors who are helping reboot these events including:

Sponsors: Bud Light, Johnson Financial Group, Educators Credit Union, Madison Medical, Saz’s Hospitality Group, Gruber Law Offices, Badger Liquor, Door Peninsula Winery, Pepsi

Community partners: Milwaukee County Parks, Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee, Events by Design, SWARMM Events, Zoy Begos, STIR Advertising & Integrated Messaging

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.