Training Update, Half Marathon Details and More

June 2019

Join us, this could be your year to:

Set a personal record!
Tackle a new distance!
Invite friends and family to join you!

No matter your goal, we are ready to help you reach it!

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Training Season Heating Up

Training runs are up and running in the Fox Cities!

It's not too late to join the PaceSetters Running Club Saturdays at 7 a.m. at Run Away Shoes in Appleton. The club provides support, Gatorade and more to runners and walkers of all experience levels. Run/Walk support provided for full, half and relay training. ThedaCare physical therapists are also on hand to provide you on-sight support.

Fox Cities Moms Run this Town/She Runs this Town also host training runs every Saturday at 6 a.m. Run locations change weekly. You can find out more on their Facebook page.

Not local? Download our Training Guide courtesy of ThedaCare Training Guides.

Check out our latest blogs:

Race-prep is more than just running by Guest Blogger Courtney Vosters, avid runner and chair of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon Board of Directors.
Benefits of the Pierce Business of the Challenge by our marathon staff with tips for setting up your team.

New 5K Training Program Starts Aug. 1

We're excited to announce a new partnership with Fleet Feet Fox Valley - our very own 5K training program!

Fleet Feet will be offering an 8-week training program for the Sept. 21 Ascension 5K Run/Walk, part of our marathon weekend of events.

Fleet Feet's 'No Boundaries' is a coached and organized training program. It features two group work outs every week, Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 a.m., from Community First Credit Union's Home Office at 1575 Dresang Way in the Village of Fox Crossing, starting Aug. 1.

Group workouts are fully supported run/walks complete with hydration stations, turn-by-turn routes, and a team of mentors. You'll also get a comprehensive weekly newsletter, Facebook group and guest presenters on a variety of topics including nutrition, motivation, injury prevention and more.

There is also a virtual option for those outside the area or who can't make the group run schedule.

Costs include your Ascension 5K registration!

Early Bird Registration: Program + Race = $89 (now thru Sunday, July 7 at 11:59PM)
Regular Registration: Program + Race = $100
Virtual Training: Program + Race = $45

Already registered? No problem, you'll be reimbursed.

Fleet Feet Fox Valley has more than 9 years of experience offering a 5K training program and the continued success of their graduates is proof that the program is effective at getting you to your goal. Our programs are progressive in nature, with each week building upon the last - slow, steady and consistent!

Sign-up Today!

Course Corner: Half Marathon

After running about 1.5 miles with the full and relay marathoners, you will break off to enjoy a few miles for just the half.

This section takes you through neighborhoods before rejoining the marathon route including about 6 miles along waterways.

Read more at foxcitiesmarathon.org .

Picture: Half marathoners enjoy the fall foliage before crossing the bridge over Highway 441 during the 2018 race.

Sponsor Spotlight: ThedaCare

Marathon support is a way to live ThedaCare's mission to

'improve the health of the communities' they serve

Race preparation and race weekend wouldn't be the same without the years of support from ThedaCare.

The organization has been a long-time sponsor of the half marathon and provides physical therapists all summer long at our training runs. If that wasn't enough, the organization is upping its support this year with a new 'recovery zone' at Riverside Park.

The Community First Fox Cities Marathon presented by Miron Construction is a great opportunity for the Northeast and Central Wisconsin community. It promotes health & wellness, which directly aligns with ThedaCare’s mission to improve the health of the communities we serve, shared Courtney Fishel , a physical therapist with ThedaCare Orthopedics.

“There are a number of benefits to participating in the Community First Fox Cities Marathon,” added Fishel. “Along with the physical benefits, exercise also helps reduce stress, so encouraging employees to participate may create a healthier, more energetic workplace.” (Check out the Pierce Business Challenge .)

ThedaCare team members also volunteer on race day to help with injury prevention and management, as well as provide expert advice when needed. The therapy team is currently offering free running assessments to help participants maximize their performance on race day at our weekly training runs .

For more than 110 years, ThedaCare has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients. The organization serves a community of more than 600,000 residents and employs more than 7,000 healthcare professionals throughout Northeast and Central Wisconsin.

As a non-profit healthcare organization, ThedaCare is able to give back to the community and continue to support healthy lifestyles. Being involved also provides support for team members who choose to participate. Visit ThedaCare.org to learn more.

Thank you ThedaCare for your continued support!

Sponsor Spotlight:

Bergstrom Automotive

'The Community First Fox Cities Marathon

is ... a true part of the fabric of our community'

From start to finish, Bergstrom vehicles set the pace for the events of race weekend. Whether it’s the Drive for a Cure Car at the 5K on Saturday, vehicles used for set up and take down, or Bergstrom employees driving our pace cars, Bergstrom Automotive has been a valued supporter of the Community First Fox Cities Marathon for years.

"The Fox Cities is truly a special place to live, work, play, raise a family or just do about anything else," shared Tim Bergstrom , President and Chief Operating Officer. "The people and the community found here is by far what makes this place special. The Community First Fox Cities Marathon is not just an example of this, but a true part of the fabric of our community."

Bergstrom loves that it's a year-round endeavor.

"All summer you can see groups training together. During the race you see entrants encouraging each other or sharing smiles ... lined up on every street along the course is our special community to cheer on the fastest to the slowest," he said. "After the race you see the groups congratulating the finishers and listening to the triumphs tackled on the course for the day."

"Our community's marathon is not like others... it's about cheering on all those from our community that trained and put in the healthy hours to walk, jog, run and even race this course, " said Tim. "We as a team, company and part of this community are proud to help support this truly year-round event."

Bergstrom Automotive, headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, is one of the top 50 automotive retailers in the U.S. and is owned by John and Richard Bergstrom. The company employs over 1,400 teammates and is focused on delivering outstanding guest service. The Bergstrom organization has 30 facilities located throughout the state of Wisconsin. Learn more at bergstromauto.com.

We couldn’t be more grateful that you share your drive to succeed with our events year after year !