Run Madtown Race Reviews
Average Attendee Reviews
Most Helpful Review
Amazing
Great race. Loved the route!
Run Madtown
Purchase 2025 Run Madtown Booth
All Run Madtown Reviews
Best Race Course
This race had the best course! It was shady with beautiful scenery. Will definitely be back next year. Also, the water stations every 1 1/2 miles was great!
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Fun Run
The course itself was nice! There seemed to be something for everyone, from cityscapes to a more rural feel, you truly got the best of both worlds. The course has its challenging inclines at times as well! The one issue I had was the availability of water/refreshment afterwards. I had a difficult time finding the water station after the run. I know I wasn't the only one as I went to where water was being handed out for finishers and was denied another water bottle. Another runner asked right after me and was also denied. I eventually found the gallon jugs of water but perhaps some signage of some type would be nice. Also, having them on ice, or at least some, would be nice as well. I'll be back next year!
has attended 1 times
2/2 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the feedback, we will make sure that there is more water available and everyone knows where it is post race!
LOVED the Drag Queen announcer!!!
Everything about this race screamed Madison. It was wonderful! I love the tie-dye, the flamingos, and most especially the announcer. It made my day to see the inclusion. Well done and I hope they are a regular addition to the race.
has attended 3 times
0/1 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Harmony will be back for 2024!!
Great race!
This race is so fun! Love having a 5k at night, makes it even more fun! I’ve also run the half (been years) lovely course! Only thing I would suggest is for the 5k, please have those interested in walking to be at the back. Really throws off the runners when walkers are in the mix at the beginning.
has attended 2 times
1/1 found this review helpful.
5K course
The 5 K course, around the Square and down State street, was wonderful. Wow -what a run. Well done overall.
has attended 5+ times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Great But..
Great set up. I loved how we were allowed to have dogs at the 5K--I think it brought a lot of people joy! I didn't like the disorganization of the Conquer the Challenge--I asked after I finished Sunday's race while I got my 1/2 medal and the volunteers didn't know if I even got a medal for finishing the challenge. Nobody knew and when I got to the information desk, two other people were also asking. Pacer I ran with wasn't very kind either. Also expensive.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the feedback! We will work with our volunteers and pacers to make sure everyone is a bit more knowledgeable about the event, layout and definitely increase our signage. We do offer early "flamingo" pricing which is more than 50% off the late pricing. If you are concerned that you don't know your plans that far in advance, we do offer the option to defer to the next year or transfer your registration to another person.
Madtown is Fantastic
Love this city! I am WI native who currently resides in TX, this was my 2nd Half-Marathon ever and it felt so good to run at home. My partner and I also volunteered the night before at the 5K which was a blast. Everyone is so friendly. Loved everything except that hill at mile 9 lol But I will be back running this race again!
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Great Course
Always like running thru Madison. 👍 to the organizers and the City of Madison. Loved the arboretum, Edgewood hill, and the downhill finish along State Str. How about some entertainment along the course and packet pickup during the 5k?
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the great idea! We had spoken to a few cheer groups to be along the course and they fell through, we wil make this a priority for next year, to put some cheer, bands and \ or DJ out on course!
Great run!
Such a fun day- love the course except the huge hill between mile 9-10. I think you should make the medal optional. When registering for the event you should have a box opting in (or out) for the medal. If you want the medal your cost should be higher than if you don’t want it. Or scrap the medal idea all together and lower the cost of the run or donate that money to a charity.
has attended 5+ times
0/1 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the feedback! Most of our participants love the medal option, but I understand some do not. The hard part is determining who wants a medal and who opted out, but it is definitely something we will look at for 2024.
Great experience!
Very well organized from registration to packet pick up to crossing the finish line! Loved the 7pm start for a change of pace. Thanks to all of the volunteers and MPD for keeping everyone safe!
has attended 1 times
1/1 found this review helpful.
Madtown Half Marathon
Beautiful course! Well organized! This year's medals were Amazing, like a piece of art. I'm going to hang it in a window like a sun catcher. My only little complaint would be the post race food was disappointing. Bananas, and all prepackaged snacks!
has attended 5+ times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the feedback - we would love your post race food ideas! We did have to go through UW for permission for all finish line food, which is why everything had to be individually package for safety and health concerns, but we are open to looking for new options!
Great event!
This event was very well organized and the course was excellent. Definitely one of the best events that I have run in.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Not what it used to be
I first ran this race because the 10 K had you finishing at the capital as the lights came on, which was pretty cool. And also, because they gave you beer and pizza at the end. Now, the twilight run is only a five K, doesn’t end at the capital or at twilight, and there is no pizza. They will give you one beer if you enter a cage with no food or places to sit. I don’t think that I’ll be back.
has attended 3 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Thanks for the feedback! We had an issue at the 11th hour with the beer being served on the UW campus (Library Mall) so we had to serve it on State Street (city property). Because it was part of the start line, we had a quick turnover to make this happen. Our goal is to create a beer garden on Library Mall for next year, with food and seating options. Ian's Pizza came on late this year, but hopefully we can convince them to serve pizza at the finish line next year - as it is so YUMMY! I hope you will give us another shot to make it right!
2023 race
Thank you for organizing a great race! There were a few disappointments from the setup this year to years in the past. It seemed like many things were “skimped upon”. No vendors at packet it pick up, in the past pick up has been a fun event to explore. The lack of energy at the finish line, when the race was held on the square the energy is insane. Loud music leading up to the finish line, this year the pump up vibe was on at the finish line, none leading up to it. After finishing, the post race snacks were not impressive. The vibe was different this year, missing the excitement. The volunteers were amazing and the race route nice. We really do appreciate the hard work of all.
has attended 5+ times
1/1 found this review helpful.
Run Madtown
I really enjoyed the course! Had a great time and met some wonderful people! Would highly recommend.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Great Job
This Race was well organized. I enjoyed it a lot. I feel though the prices for the merch was a little high compared to other races that I have been to.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Review
Great Race, scenic and with some challenging hills as well. The medal was the best in the US.
has attended 4 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Fun Twilight 5k
Really enjoyed the race and the people. Race it self was well organized.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Run Mad Town Review
Being a long time repeat participant of this event for it's beauty and tough course, I was sadden to hear the course had changed and there was no longer a 10k offered on Saturday. I went in thinking it would probably be my last year participating. I'm estatic to report that the course was spectacular! It was both beautiful and challenging. Kuddos to Beth the race director and her team for putting on a fabulous event! The new course had more spectators then years past and all three finisher medals are GORGEOUS!! I will be back!!
has attended 5+ times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Amazing
Great race. Loved the route!
has attended 5+ times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Run Madtown Twilight 5k
A fun time. Lots of energy. Well organized.
has attended 2 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
First time participant 10k
Loved the course layout through Madison’s landmarks with varied terrain! Well organized with tons of communication and well marked. Great atmosphere and just the right number of participants. Wish I could run it again next year but the event date conflicts with other plans. Definitely recommend it!
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
a great race
I enjoyed the Madtown half, even if I got rained on. I was a pacer and enjoyed experiencing it that way.
Beautiful Course
Our race day was rainy, but the course was beautiful and 75% under a tree line! Sufficient water stations and bathrooms with lots of cheer leaders along the way! Post race festivities were a bit of a let down, but the weather was definitely a factor. Would definitely run again.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
A well run race!!!
Thank you for putting on such a great run! Everything was outstanding. Even the rainy weather; couldn't sog down my joy running with my daughters. Was their, and my first time running a half marathon.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
First Race in Madison, AWESOME!
I moved to Madison a year ago to start my PhD and it took me a minute to get my bearings and finally was able to sign up for a race. This was the one I landed on and it was the perfect first race here in town. The course was awesome (biased as I go to UW so I love the campus already!) but running at "twilight" was so cool, it was a beautiful weather day and at sunset it was sublime. The course has a few big hills and lots of straight aways so that could be a downside to some but I enjoyed it overall. Will definitely be running again next year.
has attended 1 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Best race in Madison!
The Run Madtown race weekend is the most fun in town, no doubt about it. The organizers strike a perfect balance between a loose and lively atmosphere on the one hand and professionalism and organization on the other. It has the amenities, thoughtfulness, and structure of a much larger race while keeping the personality and personalized experience of a much smaller one. I love the Mad for Madtown challenge as a way to loosen up and have a great time with friends and dogs on the 5k before the half the next day. The medals in recent years have also made the experience even more worthwhile, though the environment is still the reason I keep coming back. As long as I'm in town, I'll never miss this race!
has attended 3 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Madtown Half Marathon
This was a beautiful course. I ran this race last year and loved it just as much. With all my heart I want to run it next year in 2025. My daughter and her husband live in Madison and it has been a fun weekend to spend with them. This year I realized that a Drag Queen was the announcer for the event. I will not be signing up next year on account of this which grieves my heart. Drag Queens are adult entertainment which makes this event NOT family friendly. Would you consider a veteran being the announcer in future years being that the race occurs on Memorial Day weekend? I will return to running this race in the future if the Drag Queen no longer announces for the race.
has attended 2 times
0/0 found this review helpful.
Response from the Race Director
Hi Mary, We actually have 2 announcers race weekend one of whom is a Vietnam Veteran and the other is a drag queen, both of whom are runners, performers and lovers of our sport and do an amazing job of cheering on ALL our athletes as they cross the finish line.
Run Madtown welcomes ALL race weekend and we hope that you will continue to join us. We understand if having a drag queen and a Vietnam Veteran as our announcers doesn't fit into you definition of family friendly, but they are an important part of the Run Madtown family and will continue to announce our event as long as they are willing and able.
Run Madtown Review Details
The Run Madtown reviews contained on this site do not neccessarily reflect the opinions of Race Entry or our affiliates. We have methods in place to indicate when a review came from a verified attendee. A review without our "verified attendee" seal may have still come from a real attendee, but we were not able to verify it. Look for Run Madtown verified attendee reviews that contain this symbol at the bottom of the review:
