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About RaceIndexOur methodologyData coverageCyclingTriathlon
  • Half Marathon
  • 20 km
  • Monona
  • Event weekend starts
  • Past event

Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon

This race edition

Race date
Date not confirmed for this distance
Race timezone
Timezone not confirmed
Edition status
Status not confirmed

Entry options

2026 edition

Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.

Modelled energy-cost change 0.7% versus flat · net elevation 0 m

View verified GPS mapOfficial event website ↗
Plan my trainingPlan my paceData current as of

Decision summary

Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon at a glance

Route ascent
153 m

Lower than 48% of comparable mapped races

Cut-off average pace
9:00/km

3:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.

Typical conditions
76/100

Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast

Evidence depth
39 verified facts

Stored GPS route

Quick answers

What runners ask first

Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon route map

raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.

How hilly is the Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon?

The Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon route has 153 m of ascent, 153 m of descent and an estimated 0.7% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.

Where does the Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon route go?

The Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon route starts at Nichols Road near Winnequah Park and the Monona Pool in Monona, WI; the 20K starts at 9:00 AM and finishes at Nichols Road near Winnequah Park and the Monona Pool in Monona, WI. Underfoot, expect paved roads and lakeshore path. It passes Lake Monona shoreline, Winnequah Park, Monona Pool, Olin Park and Law Park. Post-race party at Winnequah Park with live music, food trucks, vendors and two free beers from 3 Sheeps Brewing for participants 21+, plus finisher food and free digital race photos from Focal Flame Photography.

What should runners know on race day for the Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon?

Wave start. Live music at the post-race party in Winnequah Park (on-course music not specified). 5. Post-race party at Winnequah Park with live music, food trucks, vendors and two free beers from 3 Sheeps Brewing for participants 21+, plus finisher food and free digital race photos from Focal Flame Photography.

Race character

Scenery

  • Coastal
  • Lakeside
  • Parkland
  • Waterfront
  • City

Atmosphere

  • Community
  • Scenic Tour

Terrain

  • Road
Elevation character
Gently Rolling
Technicality
Non Technical

Entry, logistics and records

Records and field

Field size
Participation has grown to approximately 3,000 runners.

Entry requirements

Entry status
Past event: The listed edition date has passed.
Cut-off
3:00:00
Qualification status
No qualifying standard; open road race.

Race day logistics

Wave start
wave start
Aid stations
5
Expo / packet pickup
Packet pickup Thursday April 30, 2026, 3:00-7:00 PM at Fleet Feet Sports Sun Prairie (2816 Prairie Lakes Dr #101, Sun Prairie, WI).
Race village
No
Medal
Finisher medal awarded to participants.
Finisher tee
Unisex race T-shirt included with registration.
On-course music
Live music at the post-race party in Winnequah Park (on-course music not specified).

Access and course status

Start
Nichols Road near Winnequah Park and the Monona Pool in Monona, WI; the 20K starts at 9:00 AM.
Finish
Nichols Road near Winnequah Park and the Monona Pool in Monona, WI.

Course facts

Course type
Loop
Surface
Paved roads and lakeshore path
Landmarks
Lake Monona shoreline, Winnequah Park, Monona Pool, Olin Park, Law Park, Machinery Row, Orton Park
Notable features
  • Post-race party at Winnequah Park with live music, food trucks, vendors and two free beers from 3 Sheeps Brewing for participants 21+, plus finisher food and free digital race photos from Focal Flame Photography. The event has donated over $75,000 to local charities since 2007. Also includes a JangoPet 5K Dog Run/Walk
  • The 20K circles Lake Monona, offering sweeping lake views and Madison's Capitol skyline across the water, with spectator viewing areas at Olin Park, Law Park, Machinery Row and Orton Park. Five aid stations are positioned at approximately miles 2.3, 4.9, 7.6, 9.5 and 11.5, with energy gels at Aid Station #3

How hilly is the Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon?

12%72%13%
  • Steep descent 2%
  • Descent 12%
  • Flat 72%
  • Climb 13%
  • Steep climb 2%
Total ascent
153 m
Net elevation
+0 m
GAP factor
0.7%
Longest climb
440 m at 3.5%
Gradient mix and ascent are derived from the course geometry under our published normalisation, not taken from organiser marketing.

What are typical race-day conditions?

  • 13°CTypical temperature
  • 20 kphTypical wind
  • 4 mmTypical rainfall
  • 76Favourability /100
Typical conditions for the race date and locality, warmer than the endurance-optimal window. These are climatological norms, not a forecast, and are shared across every distance at this event.

More race details

Is the Lake Monona 20K & 5K (Monona) Half Marathon flat?

Its normalised GAP factor is 0.7% slower than a flat course, with about 153 m of total ascent.

How we calculated this

Published facts and derived model outputs on this page are tied to stored sources or a published, version-locked methodology. We show the provenance so runners, coaches and organisers can check it. Data on this page is current as of .

Derived numbers use scoring-methodology-v1.0.

Sources used on this page (2)

Read the full methodology →