Frozen Assets 5K
media release: The Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, presented by Associated Bank, produced by Clean Lakes Alliance, and hosted at The Edgewater, is set to welcome nearly 700 participants this Saturday, February 8th. This year, in addition to awarding top male and female finishers, the event will feature a new ice skating category with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals.
With thick ice and little to no snow on Lake Mendota, organizers advise participants to bring ice traction equipment such as Yaktrax or spikes to stay steady on the slick surface. As one of the only races in North America held entirely on a frozen lake, this unique event offers a breathtaking winter experience while supporting local lake conservation efforts.
"We’re thrilled to introduce the ice skating category this year," said Clean Lakes Alliance Executive Director James Tye. "We want everyone to have fun and stay safe while enjoying this truly unique winter tradition."
The top three male and female runners and the top three finishers in the skating category will be recognized. Participants also receive a commemorative t-shirt, and children 10 & under are FREE with an adult registration.
The Frozen Assets 5K is part of the larger Frozen Assets Festival, a free, family-friendly event featuring ice activities, winter sports, and educational exhibits celebrating Madison’s lakes.
Spots are filling fast—register now or on race day. Visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/
Saturday, February 8th Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk/Skate Schedule
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Check-in
9:05 - 9:35 a.m. Winter Warmup with barre3
10:00 a.m. Start (Lake Mendota)
More on the Frozen Assets Festival:
Saturday, February 8, 2025 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) – All events
Sunday, February 9, 2025 (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.) – Kites on Mendota
The Edgewater
FREE, open to the public
Join Clean Lakes Alliance at The Edgewater for the Frozen Assets Festival! We’ll have FREE, family-friendly activities on frozen Lake Mendota! Thank you to our hosting sponsor, The Edgewater, and our other sponsors for making this community event possible.
The Frozen Assets Festival will kick off with the 5K Run/Walk, held entirely on the ice in front of The Edgewater. The rest of the day will include family-friendly activities on the ice and The Edgewater Plaza.
All Day Events: (Saturday, February 8, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
- 2025 Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships, Lake Mendota
- Kites on Mendota with Wisconsin Kiter’s Club, Lake Mendota
- Snow Snake with members of Ho-Chunk Nation, Lake Mendota
- Free hot chocolate, Grand Plaza
- Free ice skating and free skate rental, The Edgewater Ice Rink and Skate Shop
- Try snowshoeing, Lake Mendota
- Explore how UW-Madison Center for Limnology monitors our lakes in the winter months, Lake Mendota
- Mary B. ice boat on display, courtesy of The Ice Boat Foundation
- Slapshot inflatable game, courtesy of the Madison Capitols Hockey Team, The Langdon Landing
- Play Plinko (Lake-O), Nolen Gallery
- Spin the Price is Right Wheel, Nolen Gallery
- Winter craft stations, Grand Ballroom
- WI Salt Wise booth – hear about how salt use can impact our lakes, Grand Plaza
- More events to be announced!
Scheduled Activities (Saturday, February 8):
- 8 – 9:45 a.m. Check in for Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk, 5th Floor Registration Tables
- 9 – 9:30 a.m. Winter Workout – warm up for the Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk with barre3, Grand Plaza
- 10 a.m. Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk begins, Lake Mendota off The Edgewater Pier
- 10 a.m. Central Midwest Ballet presents Elements in Motion: Water, Clouds, Ice & Fire, Grand Ballroom
- 10:30 a.m. Movie showing – “March of the Penguins,” Grand Ballroom
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. UW Physics “What’s Colder Than Ice?” Lake Mendota
- 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. IceCube demonstrates Space Dust & Neutrinos, Outside
- 11 a.m. Mad Science: Sounds Like Science, Grand Ballroom Stage
- 12 – 1 p.m. Bucky Badger visits the Frozen Assets Festival
- 12:15 p.m. Central Midwest Ballet presents Elements in Motion: Water, Clouds, Ice & Fire, Grand Ballroom
- 1 p.m. Mad Science: Fire & Ice, Grand Ballroom Stage
- 2 p.m. Clean Lakes 101 family-friendly science presentation, “Frozen Frontiers – Secrets of Life Beneath the Ice,” The Edgewater Grand Ballroom C
- 2 p.m. Movie showing – “Disney Nature: Oceans,” Grand Ballroom
- More events to be announced!
Sunday, February 9
- Kites on Mendota, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. See large show kites fly high over frozen Lake Mendota off The Edgewater’s Pier.
Also, during the prior week:
2025 Frozen Assets Festival Daily Events
Monday, February 3 – Friday, Feb. 7, The Edgewater & Lake Mendota
Monday, February 3
- Athlete practice for the Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships, 1 – 4 p.m. on Lake Mendota
- Opening Ceremony & Reception for the 2025 Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships, 4 – 6:30 p.m.
- Music and Skate for the Lakes from 4 – 9 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink at The Edgewater. Enjoy music and ice skating while raising funds for Clean Lakes Alliance.
PURCHASE A TICKET – OPENING CEREMONY & RECEPTION
Tuesday, February 4
- Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships first race signal, 11 a.m.
- Music and Skate for the Lakes from 4 – 9 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink at The Edgewater. Enjoy music and ice skating while raising funds for Clean Lakes Alliance.
Wednesday, February 5
- Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships first race signal, 10 a.m.
- Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk Early Packet Pickup from 3 – 7 p.m. at The Edgewater. Details coming about location inside The Edgewater.
- Music and Skate for the Lakes from 4 – 9 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink at The Edgewater. Enjoy music and ice skating while raising funds for Clean Lakes Alliance.
Thursday, February 6
- Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships first race signal, 10 a.m.
- Music and Skate for the Lakes from 4 – 9 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink at The Edgewater. Enjoy music and ice skating while raising funds for Clean Lakes Alliance.
Friday, February 7
- Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships first race signal, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Frozen Assets 5K Run/Walk Early Packet Pickup from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The Edgewater. Details coming about location inside The Edgewater.
- Music and Skate for the Lakes from 4 – 9 p.m. on the Grand Plaza Ice Rink at The Edgewater. Enjoy music and ice skating while raising funds for Clean Lakes Alliance.