Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk will not take place this year after being a fixture for 45 years

The Children’s Wisconsin Foundation announced Thursday that it has decided not to host the 2023 Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk — a downtown tradition for 45 years.

For both serious runners and those just out to walk for a good cause, the event has long been one of Milwaukee's most beloved. Its roots go back to legendary Marquette University basketball coach Al McGuire, who spearheaded the first race and for years remained a participant and guiding force.

Now, the event's future is up in the air while Children's Wisconsin considers potentially replacing the run and walk with a different kind of event.

“We recognize the importance this event has held for many families and made this decision with careful time and consideration. We know for many, Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk was an opportunity to remember, honor and celebrate the care of a child and the healthcare journey,” the foundation said in a message to past participants.

"As we look to the future, Children’s Wisconsin is transforming our health system to consider the whole child, including their physical, social and mental health and well-being. This focus on the whole child includes ensuring our fundraising events are engaging for kids and adults of ALL abilities."

Children's Wisconsin asks for feedback on Briggs & Al's Run & Walk and possible replacement

Children’s Wisconsin said that it was going to solicit feedback on how it could create new and more inclusive events that could possibly replace the run in the future.

“During this year off, we are reaching out to our most steadfast supporters – participants like you – to help us collect ideas and feedback on how our events can be more representative of the communities we serve while also identifying what makes our events special and should be retained.”

The release included a link to a survey at surveymonkey.com/r/SBHVBH3.

The foundation also said it had begun the process of holding focus groups with the goal of finding a replacement event.

Al McGuire launched Milwaukee JournAl's Run in 1978

The Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk was created when McGuire decided he wanted to do something for the kids of Children’s Wisconsin. McGuire later approached Bill Dwyre, former sports editor of The Milwaukee Journal, and suggested the creation of a community event.

The end result was a race to benefit the hospital that started at Marquette’s campus and ran through downtown Milwaukee. The first event, called the JournAl’s Run, took place Sept. 30, 1978. It cost $5 a person, $10 for families and $100 for corporations, but many more donations were made and the 3,500 registered runners raised $20,000.

“Originally we were planning in the neighborhood of 800 runners that first year, but we ended up with 4,000,” McGuire said in the book "The Milwaukee JournAl's Run."

“The second year we jumped to 8,000, got coverage from National Geographic and NBC and a star was born!

“Al’s Run is successful because it cuts across economic and social worlds … and I’m always personally touched by the generosity of Milwaukee people.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world to be in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue … and look back into a sea of T-shirts and know that not one guy or gal is forced to be there — that there is no monetary gain for them. To me, this is true charity.”

The run was later renamed the Briggs & Al’s run and would become a fixture in the Milwaukee community for 45 years.

Recent years has seen drop in participation

In 2019, the race had 10,000 participants — a drop from 15,000 in previous years. Due to COVID-19 the event was held virtually in 2020 and 2021.

When it finally returned to the streets of Milwaukee in 2022 it had 8,000 participants, a drop from 2019.

During its 45-year run, the event raised $22 million, according to the foundation.

Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk canceled after 45 years in Milwaukee