Connecting the Fox Cities Marathon with Reliable Radio Communication
Executive Summary
The Fox Cities Marathon brings together thousands of participants, volunteers, staff, and families each year, creating a dynamic and high-energy environment that demands seamless coordination.
In 2025, Nielson Communications partnered with the event team to provide reliable two-way radio communication for the Kids Fun Run at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, WI. The radios ensured safety, efficiency, and smooth event management, from coordinating multiple races to responding quickly to unexpected situations.
By enabling real-time communication across event leaders, volunteers, medical staff, and announcers, Nielson Communications helped the marathon team deliver a safe, family-friendly event that ran on schedule and supported every participant.
The Challenge
Managing a marathon and its associated events requires precision and reliable communication. The Kids Fun Run alone includes multiple activities: a ¼ mile run, a ½ mile run, a Mini Dash obstacle course, Diaper Dash, Toddler Trot, plus additional games.
The complexity of coordinating several hundred children, along with their parents and grandparents, created an environment where even a small delay or missed communication could cause confusion or safety risks.
The race organizers needed a way to:
- Keep team leaders informed across multiple areas of activity.
- Ensure rapid response to medical needs or lost child situations.
- Maintain smooth transitions between races and activities.
Without reliable radios, these goals would have been far more difficult to achieve.
The Partnership
Community First Credit Union, organizer of the Fox Cities Marathon, partnered with Nielson Communications to provide two-way radios for the Kids Fun Run.
The NCI team delivered the radios directly to the event office ahead of race day, ensuring everything was ready for immediate use. Their hands-on support simplified setup and gave staff peace of mind that communication tools would function seamlessly.
The Solution
Nielson Communications supplied durable, easy-to-use two-way radios to event leaders, volunteers, announcers, and medical teams.
Key features that proved invaluable included:
- Clarity: Clear, reliable sound, even in a busy stadium full of activity.
- Range: Coverage across the entire venue to keep all teams connected.
- Ease of Use: Radios and headsets were simple to operate, allowing volunteers and staff to stay focused on participants rather than equipment.
The Results
The use of radios transformed the Kids Fun Run operations:
● Safety: Radios allowed organizers to quickly locate a child separated from their parents and reunite them within minutes by securing exits and coordinating staff.
● Efficiency: Team leaders communicated directly with the announcer’s booth, field staff, information desk, and medical personnel to give timely updates and keep races on schedule.
●Peace of Mind: Medical staff and volunteers were able to respond immediately to minor scrapes or parent-child reunification needs.
According to organizers, the event could not operate without the reliable communication radios provided.
The Results
While full rollout is scheduled for the coming school year, early results from summer staff and building administrators are overwhelmingly positive:
● Crystal-clear audio across all zones
● Seamless communication between staff and district operations
● Higher stakeholder confidence in emergency readiness
Importantly, the new system is being integrated into Lake Geneva’s updated school safety response plans, giving staff peace of mind and improving incident response protocols.
Lessons Learned & Key Takeaways
● Proactive Communication Planning is essential for large-scale community events, especially when children and families are involved.
● Two-Way Radios provide a simple, reliable, and cost-effective solution to keep teams connected across multiple zones.
● Trusted Local Partners like Nielson Communications make a difference, from delivery and setup to ensuring the event runs smoothly.
Testimonial
“We could not operate without the amazing communication the radios provide in such a large venue. They allow team leaders to have direct communication with the announcer’s booth, the field, information, and medical staff to give timely and accurate updates on race start and staging.”
— Julie Johnson, Race Director, Fox Cities Marathon
About Nielson Communications
For over 50 years, Nielson Communications has helped Wisconsin businesses, first responders, schools, and community organizations stay connected. From two-way radios and dispatch systems to vehicle upfitting and event support, NCI delivers trusted communication solutions that keep people safe and connected.
Industries Served: Public safety, education, manufacturing, construction, transportation, events, and more.
Let Nielson Communications help you build a reliable, secure, and scalable communication system. Visit our website, email sales@nielsoncom.com, or call 920-494-1828 to schedule a consultation.