Running in Madison, WI: the best routes, races and running groups

Routes

• Lake Monona loop: Dane County's official 13.8-mile loop around the lake, paved and marked, past Monona Terrace, Olin Park and Olbrich Park. For now, the Capital City Path along John Nolen Drive is closed for reconstruction into 2027, with a signed detour around Monona Bay.
• Lakeshore Path and Picnic Point: the UW's Lakeshore Nature Preserve runs 4.3 miles along Lake Mendota from near the Memorial Union, with about 12 miles of trails, including the walk out to the tip of Picnic Point. Organized running events need a permit.
• UW–Madison Arboretum: running is allowed on its unpaved fire lanes and footpaths and on 4 miles of paved road through woods, wetlands and prairie (face traffic on the road). No dogs. Open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Capital City State Trail: more than 20 miles of asphalt linking the Military Ridge and Badger State Trails, the Southwest Path and the Cannonball Trail, with 9 miles through Capital Springs. A trail pass is required for biking, not listed for runners.
• Lower Yahara River Trail: a flat, paved 5.4-mile out-and-back with a mile-long boardwalk over Lake Waubesa.
• Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton: a 3.2-mile crushed-limestone loop past prairie, woods and a spring; muddy after rain or in the spring thaw.
• Elver Park: trails across Madison's largest community park; in winter its trails are groomed for skiing, so runners and hikers stick to the separate hiking trails.
• Governor Nelson State Park: 8.4 miles of trails on Lake Mendota past effigy mounds (state park sticker required).

More trails in our hiking guide and lakes guide.

Races

• Madison Marathon, Sunday, November 15, 2026: marathon, half marathon and 10K, starting and finishing on the Capitol Square, with the expo at Monona Terrace.
• Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026: the Birdie Derby (10K, 5K and kids' dash in Fitchburg) and the Madison Turkey Trot 5K at the Alliant Energy Center. See our Thanksgiving guide.
• Madison Shamrock Shuffle, Saturday, March 13, 2027: 10K, 5K and walk downtown.
• Crazylegs Classic: UW's spring 8K and 2-mile walk from Library Mall to a finish on the field at Camp Randall. The 2026 race was April 25; the 2027 date isn't posted yet.
• Lake Monona 20K & 5K, May 1, 2027, in Monona, with a pet 5K.
• Run Madtown, May 29 and 30, 2027: half marathon, 10K and a twilight 5K.
• Madison Mini-Marathon, Saturday, August 14, 2027: half marathon and 5K from the Memorial Union Terrace.
• IRONMAN Wisconsin: the triathlon is based at Monona Terrace each September, with a marathon run through downtown and campus.

Group runs

Free group runs are the easiest way to meet other runners. Check each group's page for the week's schedule.

• Fleet Feet (8440 Old Sauk Rd. and Sun Prairie): Monday 3-mile fun runs at 6 p.m. for all paces, and Thursday pub runs of 3 to 5 miles at rotating local spots.
• Movin' Shoes (528 S. Park St.): Monday and Tuesday evening runs (one easy, one fast), a Thursday women's run, a Sunday morning social run, and a brewery run on the first Thursday of each month.
• Madison Run Club: a free social group on Meetup that runs most days of the week.
• Madison Trail Runners: Tuesday-evening trail runs from the Arboretum Visitor Center with pace groups, and early Thursday-morning miles. Bring a headlamp in the darker months.

As the days get shorter, wear lights and reflective gear.