What do you get when you mix running with bacon? A match made in hog heaven 😉

Photo by Bill Flaws – Running in the USA

If Race for the Bacon isn’t already on your calendar (Thursday, August 1), you should add it stat. In addition to a well-organized race, last year’s inaugural participants were treated to the most stylish race t-shirts you’ll find in this area + a Bacon Bash featuring delicious bacon-themed foods.

Photo by Bill Flaws – Running in the USA

Photo by Bill Flaws – Running in the USA

Want to get in on the action this year? You can find the race deets on our Featured Races page.

Earlier this week, we sat down with the Boss Hog to get the back story on the race and helpful course tips – you know, in case you’re planning to bring home the bacon this year!

What sparked the idea of the Bacon Race?

The idea for the Race for the Bacon came about when my running friend Scott mentioned that he always hosted a post-race party with bacon after a local 10k race. At that point, the light bulb went off and the idea was born. And once I get an idea like that, I don’t look back.

This is the event’s second year – what’s new and/or different this year?

It’s almost as if this is the Inaugural Race – Part 2. We’ve moved the location to Sheridan Park (from State Fair Park) and scrapped the 10k, just keeping the 5k.  With the location change, it’s a whole different event. Sheridan Park is much more conducive to an event like this. State Fair Park had all of the amenities, but at the same time it wasn’t the setting we were looking for.

What can participants expect at this year’s race?

Participants can expect a very good race and a fun post-race party. Some of these newer 5k events stress the “fun” aspect at the expense of the “run” aspect.  We will have both. We have some very talented runners in the field including 5-time Al’s Run champion Matt Thull.

Can you tell us a bit about the course?

Most of the course is flat and straight, but there is a section from about Mile 1.6 to 2.3 that is on the Oak Leaf Trail so that could get interesting.  There are long stretches on both Sheridan Drive and Lake Drive, which will be neat.  All four lanes of Lake Drive will be closed for the race and I give the City of Cudahy a lot of credit for their willingness to do that for us.

Do you have any tips for participants?

Since it’s basically a first-year event I would recommend that people get there early (by 5:30) and make sure they find parking and packet pickup.

Any other comments?

We have high hopes for this race down the road.  We’d like to make it one of those events that is on everyone’s race calendar each summer.  We want to attract both the serious runner and the casual runner, much like Al’s Run does.

And now for a little hump day fun . . .

Want to run this year’s Race for the Bacon? We have one race entry to giveaway to a lucky reader. To enter the contest:

• Tell us your favorite way to eat bacon (Mandatory).

For additional entries do the following and let us know you did each action in separate comments:

• Like Keep Running MKE on Facebook
• Follow Keep Running MKE on Twitter (@KeepRunningMKE)
• Like Race for the Bacon on Facebook
• Follow Bacon Race on Twitter (@BaconRace)

Good luck! We’ll pick a winner at random on Tuesday, July 23 and announce the winner the following day. Be sure to check back on Wednesday to see if you’re our winner!*

Keep Running MKE – you’re doing great!

*Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize by emailing keeprunningmke@gmail.com. If the prize is not claimed within that time frame, we will select a new winner.