We use a colored-flag warning system for all course dangers, including weather, medical, fire & police events. There will be a flag system at each Aid Station along the course. The Race Director or Event Coordinator will contact each Aid Station Captain to initiate a color change as needed. Our Lead Bikes will stop and notify all runners if the race is cancelled. We will also post on our official Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/RockinBrewsMarathon if the race is stopped or if there is an emergency situation along the course. If you signed up for Text Notifications and you have your phone with you, you will receive text messages with updates as well.
We receive live weather updates from the National Weather Service throughout the event. Our Weather Policy is based on expert advise from the National Weather Service, and the Madison and Monona Fire Department & EMS.
The following describes each flag color.
GREEN Good Conditions: Races will start without issue.
The “feels like temperature” is 69 degrees or less. Everything is normal.
YELLOW Caution: Races will start under caution.
The “feels like” temperature is 70 to 79 degrees. Increased risk of heat related problems, runners should increase hydration and be prepared for a course closure. If there is a nearby medical, fire or police event that is a risk to the
runners, runners will be re-routed to avoid the area of the event.
RED Extreme Risk: 80 degrees is our “DO NOT START” temperature for the Marathon & Half Marathon distances.
If the “feels like” temperature is 80 degrees or higher, the race will not start.
FULL MARATHON RUNNERS – If the “feels like” temperature reaches 80 degrees before you start your second lap, the second lap of the course will be closed, and your time will count as a Half Marathon instead of Full Marathon.
If you are on the course after the “feels like ” temperature reaches 80 degrees, you may finish and the clock continues, however, if our Medical Team determines that the temperatures become too dangerous (combination of heat & humidity), and runners are still several miles from the finish, the clock will shut down soon.
We will reach out to each Aid Station to let them know what color flag to show. Example; Aid Station 1-4 may show red, and 5 may show yellow. This allows the runners who have made it to Aid Station 5 to continue, since they can reach the finish before the clock stops.
If you are on the course when it closes, you can call an Uber, Lyft or Taxi, have them take you to Winnequah Park in Monona.
BLACK Extreme Emergency:
The race is canceled. Runners should seek shelter immediately.
* If Red, race will not start.
* If Red during the course of the race, slow down, consider stopping. No marathoners will be allowed to start a second loop. They will be done at the Half Marathon point.
* If Black, the race is cancelled.
If the race is cancelled, the Finish Line Festival will still offer free live music, cider, beer & water. Swap your running shoes for dancing shoes and make the best of an unfortunate situation. Some things are out of our control and Mother Nature gets the final call.
We use a colored-flag warning system for all course dangers, including weather, medical, fire & police events. There will be a flag system at each Aid Station along the course. The Race Director or Event Coordinator will contact each Aid Station Captain to initiate a color change as needed. Our Lead Bikes will stop and notify all runners if the race is canceled. We will also post on our official Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/RockinBrewsMarathon if the race is stopped or if there is an emergency situation along the course. If you signed up for Text Notifications and you have your phone with you, you will receive text messages with updates as well.
We receive live weather updates from the National Weather Service throughout the event. Our Weather Policy is based on expert advise from the National Weather Service, and the Madison and Monona Fire Department & EMS.
The following describes each flag color.
GREEN Good Conditions: Races will start without issue.
The “feels like temperature” is 69 degrees or less. Everything is normal.
YELLOW Caution: Races will start under caution.
The “feels like” temperature is 70 to 79 degrees. Increased risk of heat related problems, runners should increase hydration and be prepared for a course closure.
RED Extreme Risk: If the “feels like” temperature is 85 degrees or higher, the race will not start.
If red during the course of the race, slow down, consider stopping. No Marathoners will be allowed to start a second loop. They will be done at the Half Marathon point.
BLACK Extreme Emergency:
The race is canceled. Runners should seek shelter immediately.
If the race is canceled, the Finish Line Festival will still offer free live music, cider, beer & water. Swap your running shoes for dancing shoes and make the best of an unfortunate situation. Some things are out of our control and Mother Nature gets the final call.
COFFEE FOR SALE 7:30 -11 AM
PIZZA AVAILABLE 11:00 AM-1 PM
LIVE MUSIC 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
The Finish Line Festival is held in a large tent located across the street from the finish line. The festival is open to all ages, but only race participants and those who have purchased a festival entry are allowed in. There are ciders, beers, and water. There will be live music from 10:00 to 1:00. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR BIB OR PURCHASE A FINISH LINE FEST ENTRY TO ENTER THE FESTIVAL TENT. YOU MUST HAVE AN ID TO ENTER. If you purchase an entry, we only accept cash. Prices are as follows,
$40 if you enter from 10:00 & 11:00.
$30 if you enter from 11:00 & 12:00.
$20 if you enter after 12:00.
To help control waste, we kindly ask that you reuse your beer cups for each subsequent pour.
DRINK LIST
Miller Lite American Lager 4.2% ABV
New Glarus Brewing Staghorn Octoberfest 6.25% ABV
Capital Brewery German Style Pils 4.5% ABV
Yuengling Brewing Traditional Lager 4.5% ABV
Angry Orchard Hard Cider 5% ABV Gluten Free
Ale Asylum Ballistic IPA 7.5% ABV
War Pigs Blinding Light Show Citrus IPA 7.5% ABV
You will get one free slice of pizza from Ian’s Pizza with your tear-off tag on your race bib.
We offer free registration into the next Wisconsin Lakeside Half Marathon & 5K to our top 5 male & female finishers in the half marathon, and the top 3 male & female finishers in the 5K Run. We do not do age categories or an award ceremony, but you can see where you placed in your age category on the results page. All winners will be contacted by email, usually 1-2 weeks after the event.
Everything you need to plan your race morning, from packet pickup to the finish line celebration.
All times below reflect the currently published schedule. Please confirm final details and any updates with the event organizers before race day.
Line up in the correct pace wave to help keep the course and aid stations moving smoothly.
8:20 AM — Runners line up in starting chute
8:20 AM — Runner warmup
8:25 AM — National Anthem
8:30 AM — Elite wave: faster than 7:00 minutes per mile
8:31 AM — Wave 2: 8:00–9:00 minutes per mile
8:33 AM — Wave 3: 10:00–11:00 minutes per mile
8:35 AM — Wave 4: 12:00 minutes per mile or slower
STARTING CHUTE
Arrive early, listen for your wave, and be ready to run..
8:50 AM — Runners line up in starting chute
8:50 AM — Runner warmup
8:55 AM — National Anthem
9:00 AM — All 5K runners start together; elite runners toward the front
ONE START
All 5K runners begin together.
10:00 AM — Festival tent opens; live music and refreshments begin
12:45 PM — Last call
1:00 PM — Live music and festival end
Bring identification if entering the festival area.
Music, community and post-race festivities.
Finish Line Festival Tent
Near Healy Road and Nichols Road, Monona, WI.
Have your confirmation QR code ready. Collect your bib, race shirt and timing chip.
7:30–8:15 AM — Half Marathon participants with prepaid race-day pickup
8:15–8:45 AM — 5K participants with prepaid race-day pickup
Important: Saturday pickup is only available to participants who purchased this option in advance.
Street parking is available near the starting line, along with limited school and community center parking. Do not park in the library lot or within coned-off course areas. Follow all posted restrictions.
7:30–11:00 AM — Coffee available for purchase
10:00 AM–1:00 PM — Live music
10:00 AM–12:45 PM — Beer & cider available
10:30 AM–1:00 PM — Pizza available
Event organizers use a colored-flag warning system at aid stations. Follow instructions from race officials, medical teams, and emergency personnel.
GREEN — Good conditions.
YELLOW — Caution; increased risk and possible rerouting.
RED — Extreme risk; race start or continuation may be restricted.
BLACK — Extreme emergency; race canceled, seek shelter.
Review your course, plan your arrival and check for last-minute event announcements.
