Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. officials announced new course changes for the fourth annual Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Run.
This year’s race will be held on June 14 at 7 a.m. and once again will include a half marathon, quarter marathon and 5k route. Online registration is open now at Rocknsolerun.com.
The most notable change to the 2014 course is the location of the start line. Runners will start the Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Run facing south on the corner of Young Street and Erie Street, adjacent to Catalano Square in the Third Ward and will finish in the same location as previous years near the Summerfest South Gate.
Course modifications for the half and quarter marathon routes will take runners west on Pittsburgh Avenue, then south on First Street into the Bay View neighborhood along Bay Street, where they will then run over the Hoan Bridge heading north before the routes separate.
After runners exit the Hoan Bridge, the half marathon route will continue along Lake Michigan, through Lakeshore State Park and behind the Marcus Amphitheater toward the finish line near the South Gate.
The quarter marathon runners will head east, through the Summerfest Grounds toward the same finish line. The 5k route will take runners south on First Street before turning around to head east on National Avenue and north back to the Third Ward before making a final turn onto Erie Street toward the finish line near the South Gate.
In 2014, the 5k route will not utilize the Hoan Bridge.
This year’s race will also feature enhanced entertainment along the course. The Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Run is a USATF certified course and will be officially chip timed. Exact routes and course maps for all distances can be found at Rocknsolerun.com.
Limited parking will be available for free on race day at the Summerfest Grounds near the Mid Gate.
Additional free parking will also be available at two structures, the Milwaukee Street Structure and Chicago Street Structure in the Third Ward, near the new start line, from 5 a.m. to noon on race day.
Participants and spectators may park at the Italian Community Center for $5.
Participants are encouraged to register early and save on registration fees in the half marathon, quarter marathon or 5k.
The next price increase for all three distances is March 13. All registered participants will receive a finisher’s medal along with one Summerfest General Admission ticket, valid any day of the 2014 festival, as well as one Polish Fest 2014 ticket.
Additionally, half and quarter marathoners receive a short-sleeve Summerfest Rock ‘n Sole Run tech tee and 5K runners receive a cotton t-shirt. All participants will be able to enjoy a Post-Race Party, featuring live music, food and beverages on the Summerfest Grounds after they cross the finish line.
Additional details including how to register, information on the two-day Health & Fitness Expo, parking, training programs and to purchase In-Training merchandise featuring the new course can be found at Rocknsolerun.com.
The 2013 event included over 8,700 registered participants from 40 states and five countries. For more details, visit Rocknsolerun.com, Facebook.com/rocknsolerun or Twitter: @RocknSoleRun.
