2026 Storm the Bastille - 40th Anniversary!

Storm the Bastille 5k

Presented & Produced by East Town Association

 (sponsorship available: info@easttown.com)

Join thousands of your fellow runners & walkers for the 2026 Storm the Bastille 5K Run/Walk!

Race attendees from Milwaukee gather to commemorate the storming of the Bastille, the 18th-century French prison that sparked the French Revolution. This year's 5k route will take participants through downtown Milwaukee's East Town and the Third Ward neighborhoods. While the route is not officially certified, it's close in distance. Walkers are welcome to complete the course at the halfway point (TBD). Make sure to stick around for the party that follows as we celebrate Bastille Days!

REGISTRATION INCLUDES: 

• Special edition Storm the Bastille 40th Anniversary t-shirt  *It's pretty smart looking!*
• Timed Bib 
• Post-race Michelob Ultra, bottled water or a vintage (from Storm's past) Storm the Bastille T-Shirt!

Storm the Bastille kicks off Bastille Days, Milwaukee’s popular French festival and one of the nation’s largest French-themed celebrations. This free, four-day bash attracts over 250,000 visitors to downtown Milwaukee’s Cathedral Square Park annually who enjoy a variety of live music, an international marketplace, French and Cajun cuisine, and roaming busker entertainment.

FAQS

Packet Pickup Info:

Monday July 6th 2pm-6:30pm -- Performance Running Outfitters (Brookfield), 2205 n Calhoun road Brookfield WI 53005

Tuesday, July 7th 2pm-6:30pm: Performance Running Outfitters (Third Ward), 403 E Buffalo St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Thursday, July 9th (RACE DAY!) 4:30-8:30pm: Bastille Days - Cathedral Square,  under the white tent in the NE corner of Cathedral Square Park. Please arrive early as we need to shut the tent down at 8:30 p.m. to prepare for the race, and have the QR code that is attached to your registration confirmation email ready.

**PICKUP will close at 8:30 p.m. on Race day so arrive early to avoid lines

Parking:

The Hop is open until midnight. Park anywhere along the route and ride it to Cathedral Square for FREE.

If you're driving, please arrive prior to 8 p.m. to avoid road closures.  Park for a discounted rate in the Power Parking garages on E Mason or N Jefferson. Use the CODE: PARIS for a 25% discount.

• 770 Garage - 518 E Mason St.
• Cathedral Square Garage - 530 E Mason St. 
• Gas Light Garage - 730 N Jackson St.

Runners:

Fast runners, please move toward the front of the start line. Average and slower-paced runners, we ask that you stay toward the back near Cathedral Square Park to allow the competitive runners to start first. Remember, your official time begins when you cross the start line and ends when you cross the finish line, so there’s no need to rush.

Walkers:

Please stay toward the back near Cathedral Square Park and allow the runners to take off first. If you plan to walk only half the race, please end your walk at Wells Street and return directly to the park. Be sure to avoid Jefferson Street and the official finish line area.

Water Locations:

Half-way (MAC: Milwaukee Athletic Club) & Finish Line: Kaizen House of Athletics Finish Line Water Station @ Wells & Jefferson (next to the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon tent).

Start / Finish Line:

The start line will be on Jefferson street, heading south, and the race will finish at the same location. Afterwards, please proceed to the Kaizen House of Athletics Finish Line Water Station on Wells St.  You can then redeem your FREE Michelob Ultra or bottled water at any bar location (or a vintage STORM T-Shirt at the East Town Tent on the NE side of the Square).  

Post-Race Beverage

Your drink coupon is attached to your race bib. Tear it off to redeem at any of our bar locations. You can choose either a Michelob Ultra or a bottled water (or a vintage STORM T-Shirt at the East Town Tent on the NE side of the Square).