Sat, Dec 26, 2026

GrindFest Progression Run

Milwaukee, WI

Registration openAnnual since at least 2022

Entry is $25 now and rises to $30 after Nov 27, 2026, so registering before then saves $5.

Register

About the GrindFest Progression Run

This one is unlike any road race you have done. It takes place indoors on the track at the Pettit National Ice Center, and the format is last person standing: the pace increases every few laps, and you stay in until you cannot hold the speed anymore. When a small lead pack remains, a bell signals a final sprint to settle the places.

Teams are part of the culture here, with prizes for the fastest and most creatively dressed groups, and the ugliest sweater has its own competition mid-race. There is also a prediction contest and the much-coveted Mom of the Year award. It draws a crowd that is genuinely there to watch, which gives the whole evening a different energy than a typical race morning.

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Distances & Start Times

Wave 1: Open/Community Wave (~6:55 starting pace)12/26/2026 18:00$25
Wave 2: Women's Championship Wave (~6:35 starting pace)12/26/2026 18:15$25
Wave 3: Men's Championship Wave (~6:05 starting pace)12/26/2026 18:30$25
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Where to Stay

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Common Questions About the GrindFest Progression Run

Where can I train for the GrindFest Progression Run?

Join a local run club. Milwaukee Running Group - OMG, Badgerland Striders, Performance Running Outfitters Group Runs and others in Milwaukee welcome runners of all paces, and a weekly group run is the most reliable way to hold a training block together.

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