National Watermelon Day Run

National Watermelon Day Run 🍉🏃‍♀️

Celebrate summer’s sweetest day with a refreshing run or walk at the National Watermelon Day Run! Whether you’re here to race, stroll, or just enjoy a slice of fun, this event is the perfect way to beat the heat and celebrate all things watermelon.

Event Highlights:

• Distance Options: 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon—something for every level of runner or walker.
• Post-Race Watermelon: Cool off and refresh with juicy, ice-cold watermelon slices at the finish line.
• Scenic Course: Enjoy a beautiful, shaded trail that keeps you close to nature.
• Family-Friendly Fun: Bring the whole crew for a day of running, walking, and watermelon-filled memories.

Whether you’re a competitive runner or just in it for the watermelon, this fun-filled event will leave you smiling, satisfied, and a little sticky. Join us for the National Watermelon Day Run —a sweet way to celebrate summer! 🍉🎉

Events

• Half Marathon
  Price: $45
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• Half Marathon - Early Start
  Price: $45
  Time: 7:00AM CDT
  Price increases after June 1, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• 10K
  Price: $32.50
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• 5K Run
  Price: $32.50
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• 5K Walk
  Price: $32.50
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• Rucking 5K Ruck
  Price: $32.50
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• Rucking 10K Ruck
  Price: $32.50
  Time: 8:00AM CDT
  Price increases after April 2, 2026 at 11:59pm CDT
• Kiddos 1K
  Price: $0
  Time: 7:45AM CDT
  Registration ends August 1, 2026 at 8:59am CDT

Race Location

3544 Kettle Moraine Rd
Pike Lake State Park
Hartford, WI 53027 US

Run/Walk Courses

Get ready for one of the most challenging courses in the Wisconsin Trail Assail Series! Pike Lake offers a technical course featuring roots, ruts, rocks, and a few "rolling" hills. Okay, let’s be honest—this course will test you!

Race Day Packet Pickup & Schedule

Saturday, August 1, 2026

• 6:45 AM: Packet Pickup Opens
• 7:00 AM: Half Marathon Early Start
• 7:45 AM: 1K Kiddo's Race Starts
• 8:00 AM: 5K, 10K and Half Marathon Start

Aid Stations & Bag Drop

• Half Marathon: Three aid stations on course.
• 10K: Two aid stations on course.
• 5K: One aid station on course.

T-Shirts

Race shirts are gender-specific, dry-wick, and guaranteed for those registered by noon on July 18.

Parking Information

Parking is available at the park. DNR Day Pass: $10.00 (or an annual sticker) is required. Order online. The lot will fill quickly. Once the lot is full, parking is available at: Ewald Hartford 2570 E Sumner St Hartford, WI 53027. A bus will run from Ewald Hartford to the park between 7:00am and 11:00am.

Walkers Welcome!

Walkers are welcome to join any distance. Just select your desired distance when registering and check the course closure time to ensure you can finish before the course closes.

Team Challenge

A fun, competitive, and completely FREE way to celebrate the Run Local / Buy Local movement.

Free Fresh Fruit Bar (Post-Race!)

Celebrate your finish at our FREE Fresh Fruit Bar—because you earned more than just a high five and a sweaty selfie.

Awards, Awards & More Awards

• Overall Awards: The top overall male and female runners in each distance will receive a custom award.
• Age Group Awards: The top 3 male and female finishers in 5-year age groups will receive a custom woodle.
• Finisher Woodles: Every participant will receive a magnet woodle crafted by Ridgeway Woodworks as a special keepsake.
• The Average Joe & Jane Awards: Presented to the male and female runners who finish exactly in the middle of all registered participants.

Kiddos Run for Free!

Kids can participate in the FREE Kiddo's 1K if a parent is registered for the event.

New! Preassembled Team Packets

If your team has 4 or more members by Monday, July 27th at noon, we’ll preassemble your entire team’s packets.

Day of Registration

We highly recommend registering in advance—it’s quick and can be done from your phone! If you choose to register on race day, you must register electronically; paper registration is not available.

Volunteer Opportunities

All volunteers will receive a free entry to a future race as a thank-you for their time and support.

Charity Partner

The Silver Circle Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to support our firefighters, police officers, veterans, and troops serving overseas.

Partner with Us for Your Workplace Wellness Program!

Let us support your workplace wellness initiatives and make it easy to get your team involved.

Insurance

We recommend purchasing event insurance during checkout. Race insurance, provided by RegShield (a FanShield product), offers peace of mind by reimbursing the registration cost if you’re unable to attend due to covered reasons.

Silver Circle Sports Events

This event is professionally produced, timed, owned, and managed by Silver Circle Sports Events, LLC.

What is rucking?

Rucking is a physical activity that involves walking or hiking with a weighted backpack (called a rucksack). The term comes from the military, where soldiers train and operate carrying heavy loads over long distances. In civilian fitness and recreation, rucking is gaining popularity as a versatile and low-impact workout. We now offer it at all Chilly Willy Events! More information about rucking.