From the Soccer Field to the Finish Line One Race at a Time

Every Fourth of July, our family spends time up in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, and one year they talked me into signing up for the Hairpin 5K Run/Walk. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and the first time was just about finishing. The year after, I tried again and noticed some progress. The following year, I decided to set a real goal: breaking 20 minutes in the 5K. I had no formal training plan at that point, but I started running almost every day and put in the work. That small local race ended up being a turning point, and running quickly grew into a consistent part of my life.

Once I committed to a regular training routine, I saw steady progress. Local race weekends, especially the Fox Cities Marathon events, quickly became dates I looked forward to each year. I’ve finished first in nearly every event they offer — running the Ascension 5K once, completing the ThedaCare Half Marathon three or four times, and winning the Community First Fox Cities Marathon. The only race I haven’t checked off is the Fleet Feet 10K, which I am thinking about doing this September. My close friend has won all the Fox Cities Marathon weekend of events, turning it into a friendly rivalry and motivating me to also complete the set.

Race morning has become a highlight. Before sunrise, I head into my office, take a few minutes to get organized, and have a light snack. Watching the first runners gather outside has become a familiar routine. Once I’m ready, I make my way toward the shuttle, inevitably running into familiar runners and friends I’ve made in the running community.

What stands out most about the Fox Cities Marathon course is both its pace and its familiarity. The route is flat and quick, which makes for a fast race, but it’s also a path I know well. My office is just a block from the course in Neenah, so on many evenings, you’ll find me running the last several miles of the course, over the Trestle Trail bridge and through Riverside Park.

As my training ramped up, so did my ambitions. The drive to see what I could accomplish kept me signing up for more races and aiming higher each year. The 2023 Fox Cities Marathon qualified me for both the Boston Marathon and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which I completed in April and October of 2025, respectively.

“While the big-city marathons are undeniably exciting, they’ve made me appreciate the close-knit feel and familiarity of our local races even more.”

You can run almost anywhere, this is what sets the Fox Cities Marathon apart.

On race day, I see familiar faces: neighbors lining the course, seeing friends on the course, and my wife and kids cheering me on.

I still remember finishing that first 5K in Fish Creek. I ran at a pace that is slower than a routine jog now. By the end, I was completely spent but felt genuinely accomplished. It was a new challenge and proved that I could set a goal, work for it, and see it through.

Whether your goal is to complete a local 5K or take first in a full marathon, take advantage of the local running community. Get to know the other regulars at events, enjoy a bit of friendly competition, and share in each other’s success. For me, those genuine connections transformed running from a rehab routine into a lasting part of my life.

If you’re ready to set a new challenge for yourself, consider signing up for one of the Fox Cities Marathon’s events. Choose a distance that pushes you beyond your comfort zone, put in the work and experience firsthand what our running community has to offer. You’ll see me logging the miles on race day.