National Watermelon Day Run

Get ready to rock at the Headbanger Half! 🎸 Whether you’re here for the miles or the music, there’s a distance for everyone: 5K, 5K Ruck, 10K, and Half Marathon 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️.

Not a runner? No problem. Join the fun with our 2-mile walk 🚶‍♀️🚶 and celebrate the glory days of headbanging in your own way. 🤘

And don’t forget the kids — the Little Banger 1K 👧👦 is free and perfect for young rockers ready to join the action! 🎉

Welcome to the Slinger Kiwanis Heads UP 5K Run/Walk, where speed, scenery, and community spirit collide in an unforgettable experience!

Get ready to lace up your shoes and set your sights on the ultimate journey through the heart of Slinger, Wisconsin. This thrilling race will take you on a tour of some of the area's most iconic landmarks, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping excitement.

The adventure begins at the historic Little Switzerland Ski Resort. From there you’ll see behind the scenes at the Slinger Speedway, home to the world's fastest quarter mile, as you run through the pit area! As you make your way through the course, you'll also have the opportunity to experience a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Throughout the race, you'll encounter a mix of paved roads and trails, with a short connector section of gravel. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a casual walker, there's something for everyone to enjoy as you make your way through the course.

But perhaps the most rewarding part of the Slinger Kiwanis Heads UP 5K Run/Walk is the sense of community that permeates every step of the journey. From fellow participants cheering you on to volunteers offering support along the way, you'll feel the spirit of camaraderie lifting you up as you push yourself to new heights.

So come join us for an unforgettable race experience that celebrates the best of Slinger, Wisconsin. Whether you're racing against the clock or simply enjoying the scenery, the Slinger Kiwanis Heads UP 5K Run/Walk promises thrills, adventure, and memories to last a lifetime. See you at the starting line!

Packet Pickup, Start, and Finish will be Friday afternoon the the Slinger High School Hootie Fest or Race Day morning at Little Switzerland.

About The Race

The Eisenbahn Trail, built on a former railroad corridor, is a 25-mile trail extending from the historic city of West Bend into the scenic countryside of eastern Wisconsin past the glacial landscape of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Eisenbahn is German for railroad.

The trail is surfaced with limestone screenings, however racers will start and finish the event on 1.25 miles of paved asphalt. This is an out and back race on a relatively flat course. Participants will begin and end the race near downtown West Bend, Wisconsin. The Start/Finish Line is located behind the River Shores/Cast Iron residential community at 705 Village Green Way, West Bend. Half marathoners will turn around in Kewaskum, 1/4 marathoners and 5K run/walk participants will turn around north of West Bend.

Food will be available at the start/finish line. Trophies will be presented following the race for the top Male and Female finishers (except for the 5Krun/walk participants). Medals will be presented for the top 3 individuals in each age division for all races. Finisher medals and t-shirts will be provided for all participants including 5K run/walk participants.

Enjoy the fall colors on the beautiful rolling trails of the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation’s Fox Hill Nature Preserve in West Bend, Wisconsin. Help support the conservation of open space in the Cedar Lakes region by joining our 5K trail trail run, 10K trail run, or 1-mile trail walk through deciduous forest, restored prairieland, and glacial moraine. You may even see a sandhill crane in the prairie or a bald eagle flying overhead!