3 events in La Crosse County, Wisconsin

The 6th Annual PARC/RCRC 5K Run/Walk is not a race, more so an activity that includes fun “challenges” and business stops along the route. Think walkathon/fun run meets Amazing Race. The 2026 theme is “History, Scenery, and Fun in West Salem.” All ages are welcome! Registration is required for all participants ages 11 and over. Minors must be accompanied by parents. The cost of registration covers all event food/beverage samples, with the exception of an optional adult beverage. The first 75 registrants will receive a 2026 souvenir personalized PARC 5K glass. This is a nonprofit event, with proceeds as well as additional contributions being donated to the Sara Rose Hougom Foundation.

The event starts and ends at the parking lot of Swarthout Park near beautiful Lake Neshonoc, and goes through the downtown area of West Salem, with local points of interest, unique activity stops, challenges, and food/beverage sample stops along the way. The 5K is not timed, and all challenges/stops are optional. Estimate up to 3 hours if participating in each challenge! Please note that one stop is a pub—anyone under 21 MUST be accompanied by their legal guardian to be in this establishment, and beverages for this optional stop are not included in registration.

Download the “RunGo” app for verbal turn-by-turn instructions as you follow the route! New this year is an optional online Challenge Checklist. A map, written route directions, and Challenge Checklist sheets will be available on the PARC La Crosse Facebook page on 5/2/26. Participants are strongly encouraged to print off the checklists and map/written directions if not using RunGo and/or the online Challenge Checklist, as only a very limited number of hard copies will be available at the event.

Note: In case of inclement weather necessitating cancellation, a gathering will instead be held at Las 3 Fronteras from 11 AM – 12:00 PM, where participants can pick up your personalized PARC souvenir glass and enjoy the food/drink samples that would’ve been included along the route. Please check the PARC La Crosse Facebook page the evening before the event if the forecast is questionable.

Swim Neshonoc June 21, 2026

West Salem, Wisconsin

1.2 mile and 2.4 mile swim

It's an open water swimming event across the picturesque Lake Neshonoc in West Salem Wisconsin. Choose your distance and enjoy a beautiful morning swim through this 606 acre lake located in La Crosse County. The 2.4 mile swim, starts at Swarthout Park beach, is out and back. The 1.2 mile swim will start at the South Boat Ramp at the other end of the lake. There will be a bus at Swarthout Park to transport 1.2 mile swimmers to their start location. Both distances finish at Swarthout Park Beach.

There will be a wetsuit and a non wetsuit division for each distance. The cut off time for the 1.2 mile swim is 1:10 and for the 2.4 mile swim 2:20. Open water swim buoys are allowed and recommended. Please do not use orange swim buoys. Registration includes a swim cap, an event t-shirt, timed results, finisher medal, food and drink, first place age group awards and overall awards for each distance. The swim will be supported by lifeguards, the La Crosse Dive Unit, kayakers and Gundersen Tri State Ambulance

Packet pick up and volunteer check in is 4:00 - 6:00pm Saturday June 20 and 6:30 - 7:45am on race day at the Swarthoout Park shelter. There will be a mandatory meeting at 7:40am. No swimmers under the age of 18 are allowed.

Packet pickup - Saturday June 20 4:00-6:00 pm and Sunday June 21 7:00 - 7:30 am. at the Swarthout Park shelter

Door prizes - will be drawn before race day. If there is a ribbon on your race packet you’ve won. You’ll get to choose your prize.

Parking - available at Swarthout Park on a first come first serve basis. There will be additional street parking in the adjacent neighborhoods.

swim cap - Remember to wear the cap that comes with your packet. This will help the water safety team identify swimmers in each event.

Swim Buoy Swimmers are allowed to wear a swim buoy. It must be a color other than orange to avoid confusion with sighting buoys.

Water temperature - around 70 degrees

Mandatory swimmer meeting - for ALL swimmers 7:40 race day

2.4 mile swimmers start - 8:00 line up on the stairs according to your predicted pace. Warm ups for the 2.4 mile swim will be at 7:50.

1.2 mile swimmers BOARD THE BUS AFTER THE NATIONAL ANTHEM - 1.2 mile swimmers will board the bus to the other end of the lake. When you arrive at the park give your gear bags to the volunteers there.

1.2 mile Swim warm ups will happen upon arrival at the other side of the lake. Warm up on the right side of the dock please. Stay clear of 2.4 mile athletes swimming by. When the volunteers say it’s time to start, line up according to your predicted pace per 100 yards.

post race nutrition - will be up the hill at the finish line after completing your swim.

Awards - First place overall awards will be announced after the race. First place age group awards will be at a table near the food above the finish line.

By signing up for the swim you will also be showing support for a worthy cause: The all volunteer La Crosse Dive Unit whose functions are but not limited to Swift Water/Flood Rescue, Ice Rescue, Underwater Rescue and recovery & Vessel security services. The Dive Unit will be supporting this swim event.

We cannot guarantee a t-shirt size if you sign up after June 5, 2026.