National Sweetest Day 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Start time
- 8:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Nashotah, Wisconsin
- Entry fee
- From Free · goes up to $57.50 on Oct 3, 2026
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half Marathon - Early Start | Half Marathon | Oct 17, 20268:00 AM | $55$57.50 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| Kiddos 1K | Other | Oct 17, 20268:45 AM | Free | – |
| 10K | 10K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $37.50$40 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| 10K Ruck | 10K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $37.50$42.50 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| 5K Ruck | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $37.50$42.50 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| 5K Run | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $37.50$40 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| 5K Walk | 5K | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $37.50$40 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 17, 20269:00 AM | $50$52.50 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The Half Marathon fee goes up to $57.50 on Oct 3, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Half Marathon - Early Start: $55 until Oct 3, then $57.50 until Oct 10, then $60 until Oct 16, then $65 until Oct 17.
- Kiddos 1K: Free until Oct 17.
- 10K and 5K Run and 5K Walk: $37.50 until Oct 3, then $40 until Oct 10, then $42.50 until Oct 16, then $45 until Oct 17.
- 10K Ruck and 5K Ruck: $37.50 until Oct 3, then $42.50 until Oct 16, then $50 until Oct 18.
Online registration closes Oct 18, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $55, entry is about 15 percent below a typical half marathon in Wisconsin, which costs $65 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Nashotah runs 2:11:27, about 10:02 a mile, based on 3 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:19:16 and men in 1:58:59.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:08 AM, and the Half Marathon - Early Start starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 960 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
W330 N5113 County Road C, Nashotah, WI 53058
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (5 years)5K Run
10K
Half Marathon
Aggregated from official results (Silver Circle Sports Events, LLC) for National Sweetest Day. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at National Sweetest Day?
At the 2025 5K Run, the fastest tenth finished in 29:36 or better, the top quarter in 32:36, and half the field in 37:16; the last tenth came in after 51:04.
At the 2025 10K, the fastest tenth finished in 52:58 or better, the top quarter in 58:59, and half the field in 1:06:40; the last tenth came in after 1:34:27.
At the 2025 Half Marathon, the fastest tenth finished in 1:53:03 or better, the top quarter in 1:59:25, and half the field in 2:19:13; the last tenth came in after 2:48:59.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 31:03 | 31:09 |
| 20-29 | 33:23 | n/a |
| 30-39 | 31:46 | 30:37 |
| 40-49 | 34:01 | 32:18 |
| 50-59 | 35:55 | 27:50 |
| 60-69 | 37:25 | 31:47 |
| 70+ | n/a | 47:50 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Down 13 percent since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
National Sweetest Day 5K year by year
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 128 to 124 finishers, and the median time dropped from 37:33 to 37:16.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 124 (-5%) | 37:16 | under 29:36 | 21:10 |
| 2024 | 131 (+6%) | 35:48 | under 26:22 | 22:02 |
| 2023 | 124 (-10%) | 36:35 | under 27:22 | 22:01 |
| 2022 | 138 (+8%) | 38:11 | under 29:46 | 24:37 |
| 2021 | 128 | 37:33 | under 27:09 | 21:53 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Slower than most Wisconsin 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 32:36, against 28:16 in a typical Wisconsin 5K, so times here run 15 percent slower.
- 10K: Slower than most Wisconsin 10Ks. The fastest quarter of the 2025 10K field finished under 58:59, against 53:12 in a typical Wisconsin 10K, so times here run 11 percent slower.
- Half Marathon: Slower than most Wisconsin half marathons. The fastest quarter of the 2023 half marathon field finished under 2:03:07, against 1:53:57 in a typical Wisconsin half marathon, so times here run 8 percent slower.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 17 the day usually runs from 45°F at dawn to 61°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 21% of days. Cold snaps dip to 35°F and hot years reach 73°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- W330 N5113 County Road C, Nashotah, WI 53058Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 960 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Other
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 17, 2026), 2025 (Oct 18, 2025), 2024 (Oct 19, 2024), 2023 (Oct 8, 2023), 2022 (Oct 15, 2022), 2021 (Oct 16, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is National Sweetest Day?
- Saturday, October 17, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at Free before processing fees, and rises to $57.50 on Oct 3, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 18, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Wisconsin?
- At $55, entry is about 15 percent below a typical half marathon in Wisconsin, which costs $65 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Other.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 124 runners finished the 5K Run; the median finish was 37:16 and the winner ran 21:10.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 32:36, against 28:16 in a typical Wisconsin 5K, so times here run 15 percent slower.
- Where does it start?
- W330 N5113 County Road C, Nashotah, WI 53058.
From the organizers
National Sweetest Day Run 🍬❤️
Celebrate National Sweetest Day by doing something truly sweet for yourself and those you care about—join us for a fun run or walk! Whether you’re running solo, with friends, or sharing this special day with a loved one, this event is all about spreading joy, kindness, and a little bit of sweat.
Event Highlights:
Distance Options: 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon—something for everyone!
Sweet Treats: Enjoy post-race goodies to reward your hard work.
Scenic Course: A beautiful trail surrounded by nature—perfect for a relaxing run or walk.
For Everyone: Bring your sweetest someone, your bestie, or the whole family!