The Tosa Fest 5k became Tosa Fest's-Nancy's Run, Rock N Stroll in 2008. Previously, it was the Chancery Tosafest Run for ALS. One Matthew M. Smith co-founded the race. This was in the 1980s, when running races were becoming increasingly popular. In it's early years, the Chancery TosaFest race course included and out-and-back portion along State Street in Wauwatosa. Later, the course was changed to Menomonee River Parkway; the first approximately one mile has remained largely the same. During some years, 'Chancery' was not in the race name.

Nancy's Run, Rock 'N' Stroll was founded in 2006, first held in Whitnall Park, West Allis as a fall race. In 2007, it was moved to the Milwaukee County Sports Complex Oak Leaf Trail. The date was moved up so as to make it a summer event. In 2008, the Badgerland Striders helped make race founder Valerie Nolin raise more money for the cause to prevent/cure ovarian cancer by merging the two races into Tosa Fest's-Nancy's Run, Rock N Stroll. Accordingly, the TosaFest 5k downhill race tradition continues with a new name.