Milwaukee River Challenge becoming one of nation’s top races

ROWING TEAMS from throughout the Midwest will be in Milwaukee Sept. 18 for the fourth annual Milwaukee River Challenge, one of the country’s top rowing events and a showcase for Milwaukee’s downtown RiverWalk.

Members of the U.S. National team, fresh from a gold-medal performance in the Athens Olympics, are scheduled to compete in the Challenge, which is the only two-way regatta in an urban environment in the U.S.

“The Milwaukee River Challenge has grown significantly each year and shows no signs of slowing,” comments Gary Grunau, chairperson of the Milwaukee RiverWalk District. “We are adding new teams from the Midwest and nationwide each year. At this pace, we are poised to become one of the best races in the U.S.”

This year’s competition will be limited to popular four- and eight-member men’s and women’s crews. Racing is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a course that runs from the Historic Third Ward on the south end to the Humboldt Avenue bridge on the north.

More than 450 athletes are expected to compete in the Challenge, including collegiate teams from Northwestern, Iowa, Murray State, Arizona State, Marquette and the always-strong University of Wisconsin-Madison. Also competing in the one-day Challenge are rowing clubs from Chicago and Madison.

The Milwaukee Rowing Club is one of the three original sponsors of the Challenge, along with the University of Wisconsin-Madison rowing team and the Downtown RiverWalk District. While activity is centered on Pere Marquette Park between W. State St. and W. Kilbourn Ave., spectators gather all along the RiverWalk, including downtown Milwaukee’s bridges and skywalks. The “Racer’s Village” in Pere Marquette Park includes the race announcer’s stand, exhibits, demonstrations and food.

Again this year a Downtown Housing Expo will be held in conjunction with the Challenge. A trolley will take prospective buyers and tenants from Pere Marquette Park to the growing number of rental and condominium properties in the downtown area.