The organizers of a new event called the Milwaukee Running Festival announced today that PNC Bank will serve as title sponsor of the festival marathon, and that the event is expected to generate about $8 million in economic impact for Milwaukee.
The inaugural event, which is being put on my Milwaukee Marathon Inc. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, will include a marathon, half marathon, 5K and one-mile race. Race routes will travel through the city’s neighborhoods and landmarks, with the marathon and half marathon beginning and ending at the Summerfest grounds and the 5K and one-mile races starting and ending downtown.
The entries are capped at 3,500 marathon runners and 6,500 half marathon runners, and based on similar urban marathons, the expected impact is about $800 per participant. The Milwaukee Running Festival will also include charitable partnerships, with a goal of donating $250,000 to each partner charity.
The Milwaukee Public Works Committee yesterday approved a resolution authorizing city officials to create an operating agreement with Milwaukee Marathon Inc., which is led by executive director Chris Ponteri.
“We’re excited to be able to showcase the neighborhoods and landmarks that make Milwaukee such a vibrant place to live,” Ponteri said. “This event will attract people from all over the country, and offer a unique experience to runners of all ages, experience levels and abilities.”
