Registration Open for Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk

MILWAUKEE, WI – The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail, (FOHAST), a nonprofit group dedicated to sustaining, enhancing and promoting the trail, will host the 23rd Annual Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk,  on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, with the race starting exactly at 8:30 a.m.

As the organization’s signature fundraiser, the event is a family-friendly run/walk for people of all ages, speeds, and abilities. Each year the community event grows with teams and individuals dedicated to improving the trail (named after baseball legend Hank Aaron), to urban environmental and sustainability issues, and to other services funded through the effort.

This year’s pre-race festivities begin at 7 a.m. with registration for those who did not pre-register; coffee and bakery items will be available for participants. DJ Rick, the Milwaukee Brewers personal DJ on game days, kicks off the pre-race festivities at 8:00 a.m.  for the expected  1500-plus participants, inclusive of teams, families, and individuals. Once across the finish line,  participants can enjoy free fresh-made  burgers hot off the grill, beverages, and ice cream sundaes. In addition, all attendees can bid on the many valuable silent auction items.

About the race:

• The start, and finish lines are at American Family Field near the Tailgate Haus
• 5k / 3.1 miles course
• Professionally chip timed event
• Prizes for top three finishers in fifteen age divisions, top male and female, team prizes

Additional event details

• Free parking
• Entertainment from DJ Rick, The Milwaukee Brewers DJ
• Pre- and post-race refreshments and snacks
• All participants are eligible for free door prizes
• Silent same-day auction featuring tickets to Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Wave, Milwaukee Zoo, Wisconsin Badgers, as well as many other supporters.

This affordable, accessible 5K is a highly anticipated community event and serves as the the Trail’s largest fundraiser, supporting all major Trail initiatives, including:

• Sending urban youth to Bike Adventure Camp each summer to learn routes and how to ride safely,
• Organizing Stew Crews that keep the trails clean from spring through fall, and
• Art along the trail, including an upcoming mural on the 16th Street Viaduct at W Canal Street.

Increasingly appreciated by residents and visitors alike, the route weaves through the urban wilderness that includes the  beautiful Three Bridges Park,  restored prairie with blooming native plants, and crossing over Menomonee River. Participants will also enjoy an inspiring view of American Family Field in the home stretch. The route is steeped in local history and is located along Milwaukee’s former rail and industrial corridor. Restoration of the trail and adjacent areas has provided greenspace for recreation, wildlife habitat, and improved biodiversity including home to local pollinators.

For more information or to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Milwaukee/HankAaronStateTrail5K.

The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining, promoting, and enhancing the Hank Aaron State Trail.  The 14-mile paved trail runs through the heart of the city and is within a 15 minute bike ride for over 400,000 Milwaukeeans. The 5K run/walk event is the primary fundraiser for the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail. Proceeds are used for trail maintenance, improvements, and to fund youth bike camps in partnership with the Wisconsin Bike Fed.

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.