National Watermelon Day Run
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National Watermelon Day Run
The National Watermelon Day Run takes place on August 1, 2026 at Pike Lake State Park, 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd, Hartford, WI. The event offers multiple distances and divisions held on trail terrain within the park.
Distances and divisions
- Half Marathon
- Half Marathon - Early Start
- 10K
- 5K Run
- 5K Walk
- 5K Ruck
- 10K Ruck
- Kiddos 1K
The courses run on shaded, natural trails with technical features including roots, ruts, rocks, and rolling hills. The organizer notes that trail distances may vary; the 5K course runs long and GPS devices can differ, with half marathon measures reported to fluctuate by up to half a mile. Turns are marked with 12x12 turn arrows, 3 foot course signs, and orange cones rather than traditional trail tape.
Aid stations and support vary by distance: the half marathon has three aid stations, the 10K has two, and the 5K has one, all stocked with water and sports drink. On course bag drop is available at the end of the first lap. Packet pickup is provided at the race site and requires a QR code accessible on a mobile device or saved screenshot.
Post race provisions include watermelon slices at the finish and a free fresh fruit bar with recovery drinks. Awards include overall trophies, 5 year age group woodles, and a finisher woodle for every participant. Shirts are gender specific and dry wick; guaranteed for registrations completed by the stated deadline. A DNR day pass or annual sticker is required for park parking. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
