Run Madtown 2017 is an inaugural race with a 43-year history. Confused? Here’s how it came to be: the first runner-organized marathon in Madison happened in 1974, when 59 runners looped twice around Lake Monona. Except for a few gaps, annual Madison marathon races continued for decades. From the mid-1990s onward, a traditional half-marathon and marathon were held in Madison on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend—the least weekend in May. And then things started to heat up.
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Madison Marathon Profile: Behind the Scenes with Erin Dougherty
There's more to races than the athletes. Many things have to happen for events like the Madison Half Marathon and Twilight 10K to run smoothly (no pun intended). Erin Dougherty, Director of Operations at Madison Festivals Inc., gives a behind-the-scenes perspective about efforts that are essential for the success of the event.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Paul Gill and Abby Evans - Love on the Run
Paul Gill and Abby Evans met and got to know each other through running, so it is only fitting that when they run the Madison Half Marathon on May 29, 2016, it will be a week before their June 4 wedding. We caught up with them briefly to learn more about how running has influenced their lives together, and what the Madison Marathon events mean to them.
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Madison Marathon Profile: Lisa Helmuth
The Madison Marathon is the perfect event for Lisa Diane Helmuth (50) of Middleton, WI—it combines running and Madison, two things that have been part of some of the happiest and some of the saddest times of Lisa’s life, including the loss of her son James at the age of 10 due to adrenal cancer. Lisa's family honors James' memory by raising funds for children in need to participate in academic and athletic opportunities. She finds solace in running. For Lisa, “there is nothing quite like the feeling of running in Madison”.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Stephanie Sprague
After a serious car accident in May 2015, doctors told Stephanie Sprague (25) of Dubuque, Iowa that she’d be in the hospital for the next four months, and even then things were unlikely to be “normal” for her. Remarkably, Stephanie beat those odds - and will be pursuing her first Madison Marathon on November 8, 2015.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Carolyn Moore
Carolyn Moore is a seasoned marathon runner. She is pursuing her first-ever Madison Marathon in November, 2015. And when she crosses the finish line on the Capitol Square, she won’t be alone—her running partner, a visually impaired athlete, will accompany her.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Wayne Engelbrecht
Wayne Engelbrecht has volunteered at the Madison Marathon for the past decade - and also run in five different full Madison Marathons. His favorite volunteer spot? The information booth, answering questions from runners.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Abbey Kaiser
Abbey Kaiser is a young runner from Madison who just happens to have Down syndrome. Last May, Abbey completed not only the Madison Marathon Twilight 10K alongside her mother, but also the Half Marathon the next day with myTEAM TRIUMPH. Abbey's FocalShare race photo was selected for display in Times Square as part of a showcase on behalf of the National Down Syndrome Society.
Read MoreMadison Marathon and myTEAM TRIUMPH: Everyone Wins
The Madison Marathon is for everyone - which is why the relationship between the race and its partner, myTEAM TRIUMPH, is so significant. myTEAM TRIUMPH pairs physically-challenged and able-bodied racers. Learn more about myTEAM TRIUMPH and how the Madison Marathon supports its work.
Read MoreMadison Marathon Profile: Jen Johnson
For 42-year-old Jen Johnson (aka JJ), a breast cancer diagnosis last April was a major hurdle. But after enduring intense treatment that included seven surgeries and 16 rounds of chemo, Jen has beaten cancer and is ready to run this year's Madison Half Marathon.
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