44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run
- Date
- July 4, 2026
- Location
- Milton High School, Milton, WI
- Distance
- 10K Run · 5K Walk · 1 Mile Run
From the Organizer
Join us for a race day to kick off the 4th of July holiday in Milton, Wisconsin! Sponsored by the Milton Optimist Club, you can choose from a 10k run, a 5k walk, or a 1 mile run. Proceeds stay local to help sponsor youth-centered school and community projects!
Pre-registration packet pickup: July 4th, 7:00 -7:45 am, Milton High School Event Entrance. You may also register day of race at this time for $20.
Race start times: 8:00 am for 10k run and 5k walk, 8:05 for 1 mile run
- 10k run follows an out and back course on country roads with a few rolling hills.** Three water stations are provided on the 10k route.
- 5k walk starts on the 10k route, but then follows the shaded Ice Age trail out and back before rejoining the 10k runners in the home stretch. You may run the 5K if you wish, but it is non-competitive. There is one water station on the 5k walk route.
- 1 mile run is located on residential streets with a steep downhill at the finish.
All participants under 18 must have parent/guardian permission. **Anyone competing in the 10k must be at least 13 years old on race day, or receive specific permission from the race director.
AWARDS: First place overall male and female in both the 10k and 1 mile runs. 5k walk is non-competitive, but you are welcome to run it if desired. Age group awards for first through fifth place in each age category as follows:
Mile: 10 and under, 11-12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
10K: 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
83°
Typical Low
62°
Chance of Rain
34%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Ft Atkinson, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Milton, WI
Population
5,685
as of 2023
Elevation
866 ft
Nearest Airport
MSN
Dane County Regional Truax Field · 32 mi
Major Hub
MKE
General Mitchell International Airport · 55 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
26
Days to train
- Race
- 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run
- Date
- July 4, 2026
- Location
- Milton High School, Milton, WI
Coming Up
More Running races near Milton, WI
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run?
- 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run is a running race held in Milton, Wisconsin on July 4, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run?
- Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Milton, Wisconsin at Milton High School, Milton, WI. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the 44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
44th Annual Milton Optimist Independence Day 10K Run/5K Walk/1 Mile Run
Jul 4, 2026