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Badgerland Striders
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Premier inclusive club for all abilities with major races
About This Club
Badgerland Striders has been running in Milwaukee since 1959, making it Wisconsin's oldest club, and it's grown to over 2000 members. It's a nonprofit, RRCA and USATF affiliated, and it hosts the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, so there's real organizational depth behind the weekly runs. This is a club built to hold beginners just learning to run 5Ks alongside people training for marathons.
Highlights
- Oldest in Wisconsin
- Largest membership
- Hosts Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon
- RRCA and USATF member
- Training programs
- Organized races
- Family memberships
Who It Suits
This fits beginners starting from zero, families, and anyone training for a half or full marathon who wants structure and a race to build toward. It's less suited if you run with a stroller or a dog, since the club doesn't list either as accommodated. If you want a big, established, all-abilities club rather than a small tight-knit crew, this is built for that.
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Found your people? Now find the races. A Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of what's coming up near Milwaukee, so your crew always has a start line on the calendar.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
The standing group run is Tuesday at 6:00 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran HS, on a mix of park and road terrain. Distances covered across the club's programming range from 5K up through full marathon training, so what a given week looks like depends on what you're training for. Walkers are welcome at these workouts, not just tolerated, which matters if you're not ready to run the whole way yet.
Distance5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, Various training distances
TerrainParks, Roads
Post-runSocial gatherings
Your First Run
Show up Tuesday at 6:00 PM to Milwaukee Lutheran HS at 9700 Grandtosa Dr, that's the standing weekly workout and the easiest entry point. You don't need to join or pay membership to take part.
If you're brand new to running, the club runs a Stride to 5K program in April and May specifically built for beginners, and it's worth checking TicketSignup for what events are on the calendar around when you plan to show up. Since walkers are explicitly welcome and the club describes itself as serving novices through seasoned runners, being slower isn't a reason to skip it.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Milwaukee
24 upcoming races in Milwaukee. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 8, 202626th Annual Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk Milwaukee, WIFrom $20Details Sat, Aug 15, 20262026 Run/Walk to Milwaukee Irish Fest Milwaukee, WIFrom $25Details Fri, Aug 21, 20262026 Serbian Days 5K Run & Walk Milwaukee, WIFrom $35Details
See all Milwaukee races
Common Questions About Badgerland Striders
Do I have to be a member to run with them?
No. Membership isn't required to take part in the club's runs.
I've never run before, is there anything for total beginners?
Yes, they run a Stride to 5K program aimed at beginners, offered in April and May.
Is it okay to walk during the workout?
Yes, walkers are explicitly welcome at these runs, not just accommodated as an afterthought.
What happens after the run?
There are social gatherings after runs, per the club's setup.
Can I bring my dog or a running stroller?
The club's record doesn't list it as dog-friendly or stroller-friendly, so plan to come without either.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated April 2026.