Schlitz Park to host dash for cash in one-mile road race

Schlitz Park will host a one-mile road race for cash prizes on June 26, giving area runners a unique test of speed and power, organizers announced Thursday.

The race is believed to be the first-ever, competitive mile road race for money in Milwaukee.

For some, the mile compresses all the strain and pain of a marathon into four, or five, or 10 minutes of anaerobic effort. A course that twists, turns, climbs, descends and loops through the historic neighborhood around the office park will compound that challenge.

For those ready to start their training, check out this top 10 list for improving your mile time.

The Summer Schlitz Park Miler follows the footsteps of the popular Fifth Avenue Mile, which draws nearly 4,000 runners in New York; the Medtronic TC Mile, in Minneapolis, and the State Street Mile, in Rockford, Ill.

Milwaukee has the Wisco Mile, and the Make It Happen Mile Run, both both are contested on tracks.

The street run will be a companion race to the Tour of America's Dairyland bike race series, which stages a criterium from the office park on the north edge of Milwaukee's downtown.

A second race announced Thursday, the September Schlitz Park 5K Challenge, will be part of the Milwaukee River Challenge crew races, on Sept. 13.

Both races start at 5:30 p.m.

Check out www.active.com for entry information on both races.

"These new events reflect our commitment to provide our tenants and neighbors with more than just a place to come to work," said Gary Grunau, the developer who renovated the former Schlitz brewing buildings. "With a riverfront location and access to miles of run, walk and bicycling trails, our tenants not only have spaces to take care of their careers, but also their health and well-being."

The fastest milers also have a chance to build their shoe funds.

Prizes of $100, $60 and $40 will be awarded to the top three finishers in three categories, under 20, 21-40 and 41+.

Proceeds from the Schlitz Park Miler will be donated to DreamBikes Milwaukee, the non-profit group that repairs and sells donated bikes and teaches teens business and bike repair skills.

Proceeds from the Schlitz Park 5K Challenge will be donated to the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, which advocates for the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinickinnic Rivers.