Jessica DeForrest's Staging Area

I ran this race last minute on a bib transfer (I was able to transfer the bib only about a week out which is super nice compared to other races). I completed the G’eau big challenge (5k Saturday and Half Sunday).

We were able to find parking close to the race start (less than a block away), which was nice to stay warm, but cause it was a bit chilly. The 5k started on a half mile uphill trek to the first bridge, and hold on to your hats! The wind was blasting and several people almost lost their hats crossing the bridge over the Chippewa river. A pretty course, crossing three bridges four times, and running along the river, including right past a brewery (I know, shocking for WI) where patrons were lined up on the patio ready to cheer you on. Crowd support for a 5k was outstanding. Weather was a tad chilly for this race, although not out of the ordinary for April in Wisconsin.

Sunday morning we woke up to 30 degrees with 20 degree windchill, 40mph winds and SNOW. Despite being in WI, it typically does not snow in April, which I was not prepared for! Make sure you are ready for any kind of weather when it comes to your race attire because I was not! I was glad I had the G’eau big jacket to add a layer for the first few miles until I warmed up! (FYI, snow was originally NOT in the forecast).

The half marathoners were lucky enough to see the rain and snow subside prior to race start, but the wind was brutal! Especially over the 7 bridges we crossed. However, the course is very pretty, going through residential, outskirts of town and along the campus in to downtown. The Blugold Mile was by far my favorite. Students lined the course as it wound through campus in the final miles, cheering you on and this year was extra important given the weather.

The last time I ran this race (marathon relay several years ago), it ended on the HUGE hill that is on campus, so it was a much welcomed change of the course route to finish the race through downtown Eau Claire. The DJs playing music and crowds were spectacular, especially given the cold and rain. Finishing in downtown meant close proximity to coffee shops and restaurants to get food and warm up afterwards!

Medals for the 10 year anniversary were great and getting two of them was extra special! The G’eau big(ger) windbreaker jackets were perfection (they are see through, being cream in color), and it is a great layer to wear on a cooler summer night. The shirts, however, despite being super soft, ran small, and the design hadn’t changed much since I last ran the race. I’m usually comfortable in a women’s small, but I was busting out of it. This information would have been helpful when I was selecting sizes for my two shirts at registration.

Overall, this is a VERY well run race, with an awesome race director and crew, and a wonderful small town feel. I also appreciated water stops at EVERY mile, and the Honey Stinger chews and gels on course!

Top notch! I will definitely run this race again!