The Eau Claire marathon course has always focused on emphasizing the beauty of the city, particularly its bridges and rivers, and the new start certainly embraces that!! When you stand on the Madison Street Bridge and look North and South, the view of the river is spectacular. From a runner …
MORE
The Eau Claire marathon course has always focused on emphasizing the beauty of the city, particularly its bridges and rivers, and the new start certainly embraces that!! When you stand on the Madison Street Bridge and look North and South, the view of the river is spectacular. From a runner standpoint, it will trigger many emotions which all are tied to your task at hand. It suggests POWER but at the same time reminds us of PERSISTENCE and CALMNESS. The course re-design was not taken lightly and we think the changes will enhance not only the runners but spectators experience as well. Centering around the Phoenix Park Area, spectators will be able to witness runners as they start, as they loop through early on in the race as well as before they head down Barstow and again as they finish….. THAT significantly enhances the runners experience!!
Similar to the Full Marathon, but traveling down 5th, the half marathon course also focuses on emphasizing the beauty of the city, particularly its bridges and rivers!
With over 1,000 student supporters and volunteers taking part, the Blugold Mile (Marathon Mile 25.0 / Half Marathon Mile 12.0) comes at the exact point in the race when you need it most!
On top of all the enthusiasm you will find from the crowds, the Blugold Marching Band and other musical organizations are there to give runners that final push to the finish line. It is easy to see why the Blugold Mile has quickly become a favorite among those running the race!
LESS
Best race ever!!
Very well organized race. They pay attention to detail & to what their runners want. The crowd support is absolutely amazing, it doesn’t matter the weather the fans are still … MORE
Very well organized race. They pay attention to detail & to what their runners want. The crowd support is absolutely amazing, it doesn’t matter the weather the fans are still out cheering everyone on! There’s music in multiple spots on the course. The aid stations have water & Gatorade plus honey stinger gels are handed out in multiple spots on the course! One aid station is stocked with bananas, oranges, m&ms & I know there was more. The course has country roads, neighborhoods & right down the main drag in the heart of the city. Oh and their swag is by far the best! You actually want to wear it after race day 😉
Best of Wisconsin
This race gives you the opportunity to experience the best of small-town Wisconsin. The course is a mixture of bike paths and roads take you through town, over bridges, and … MORE
This race gives you the opportunity to experience the best of small-town Wisconsin. The course is a mixture of bike paths and roads take you through town, over bridges, and through woodsy scenery. The community support is amazing especially since the weather was cooler (44 degrees) and rainy during the race. 10/10 would recommend!
Meant for these conditions!
ECM in 2022 was my 4th ever marathon distance and it became my PR at 4:30:03! The cool temps and rain didn’t limit my ability to do my best so … MORE
ECM in 2022 was my 4th ever marathon distance and it became my PR at 4:30:03! The cool temps and rain didn’t limit my ability to do my best so I was hopeful in 2023!
The morning started very similar. High 30s with wind and even some snow! I had trained and I had dreamed and the never typical midwestern weather would help me the way it had a year before!
Along with the excitement the city of Eau Claire brings every year, I set out to beat my time from a year before and supplant a new PR! After my first 3 hours, I knew it felt different as I had new life and fed off the course! The final 10k has twists and turns through cheering crowds and loads of excitement! In the end, I got a new PR by over 45 minutes and a reminder of why I love this race more and more!
First time and it was worth it
Very first time running a marathon. It was cold 33ish degrees Fahrenheit this particular day, started as snow then rain and windy when I woke up. What a wonderful experience … MORE
Very first time running a marathon. It was cold 33ish degrees Fahrenheit this particular day, started as snow then rain and windy when I woke up. What a wonderful experience meeting new people, conquering self doubt and seeing the beautiful area of Eau Claire. 100% recommend!
Small town race feel with great support!
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). … MORE
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!
LOVE THIS RACE
This is a great race! The crowd is not too large but big enough that I'm not alone in the back of the pack. Great fan support throughout the course … MORE
This is a great race! The crowd is not too large but big enough that I’m not alone in the back of the pack. Great fan support throughout the course – especially on campus.
One of the best in Wisconsin
Great small town race with a big time feel. Scenic and challenging course. Running through the campus near the end of the race is something special. Students lined the streets … MORE
Great small town race with a big time feel. Scenic and challenging course. Running through the campus near the end of the race is something special. Students lined the streets early, even in the rain, to cheer people along. This will definitely be a repeat race for me.
This race is great!
This race is well organized and it is a beautiful course. I have ran the 5k, half marathon and the marathon relay. All are beautiful runs with great participation from … MORE
This race is well organized and it is a beautiful course. I have ran the 5k, half marathon and the marathon relay. All are beautiful runs with great participation from the community.
BEST Mid-town HALF in Midwest
This race right here is the best in the Midwest. The races start and finish in the heart of beautiful Eau Claire. The course is fast. The energy is incredible. … MORE
This race right here is the best in the Midwest. The races start and finish in the heart of beautiful Eau Claire. The course is fast. The energy is incredible. The views of the rivers are inspiring. The cheering lines and crowds are electric. The directors know what they are doing. This race is a must for your check-list (but warning: it likely will become an annual race for you).
Amazing cheering!
So many people on the course despite the cold! Beautiful view and great volunteers. There was a mix of trail, sidewalk and road running, they handed out plenty of snacks … MORE
So many people on the course despite the cold! Beautiful view and great volunteers. There was a mix of trail, sidewalk and road running, they handed out plenty of snacks and water at the water stops. Overall I was very impressed by the number of people out that weekend to celebrate running
Beautiful course & awesome crowd support
I am so glad I chose Eau Claire as my first half marathon. The course was gorgeous and crossed 8 bridges. It was hilly in places but not terrible. Crowd … MORE
I am so glad I chose Eau Claire as my first half marathon. The course was gorgeous and crossed 8 bridges. It was hilly in places but not terrible. Crowd support was amazing the whole time, and water/Gatorade stations every two miles. Highly recommend!
Best half marathon in the midwest
From registration to race day - let me count the ways! Smooth as silk registration - clear ,concise and reasonable price. Specials : like a private porta potty! A night … MORE
From registration to race day – let me count the ways! Smooth as silk registration – clear ,concise and reasonable price. Specials : like a private porta potty! A night of winter running followed by a sauna! Communications prior to the run – over the top. Expo and packet pickup: so well organized
10 years later, and I love it
I have run a Eau Claire race in some form since 2014! I have watched it grow from a small town race to a race that attracts people from all … MORE
I have run a Eau Claire race in some form since 2014! I have watched it grow from a small town race to a race that attracts people from all over, but has never lost its small town feel. It doesn’t matter the weather, you can count on cheering support every mile. The course itself is gorgeous, and although it isn’t flat, it also isn’t overly hilly. I’m always all about swag, and I love the shirts and medals! It is a very well run and smooth racing event weekend. The director is unmatched and so personal! 10/10 recommend this race!
Great Wisconsin race
The course was awesome and mile 12 was beyond awesome .. having the college cheering you on was so euphoric. Great race great town and very supportive community MORE
The course was awesome and mile 12 was beyond awesome .. having the college cheering you on was so euphoric. Great race great town and very supportive community
Great vibe and scenery
Be prepared for any weather for a late April WI race but the organizers will make sure you are taken care of and still have a good time. Try to … MORE
Be prepared for any weather for a late April WI race but the organizers will make sure you are taken care of and still have a good time. Try to stay in town at one of the host hotels so you can walk to everything including lots of restaurant options. The course is very pretty with several river crossings. The crowd support from the town and local college students is great. Lots of energy on course. If I lived closer, I would do this race again. High recommend.
Well supported.
lots of food offerings at the aid stations, not just water and gatorade. Lots of volunteers and local people out cheering us on. beautiful scenery with the bridges, and U … MORE
lots of food offerings at the aid stations, not just water and gatorade. Lots of volunteers and local people out cheering us on. beautiful scenery with the bridges, and U of WI Eau Claire in the last mile.
Cold, wet, windy…and a great race
It’s the last day of April, and I open my hotel blinds to see wind-whipped rain mixed with snow. Welcome to spring in Wisconsin! My favorite part of this race, … MORE
It’s the last day of April, and I open my hotel blinds to see wind-whipped rain mixed with snow. Welcome to spring in Wisconsin!
My favorite part of this race, by far, was running alongside the rivers and over the bridges. Such a nice change of scenery compared to the full urban milieu of most city races. Eau Claire is a really charming town.
Race production seemed fine. No issues with packet pick-up, communication, race day logistics, etc. I thought porta-potties were a little sparse along the race route. The expo was an outdoor affair and coincided with some other small races occurring the Saturday afternoon before. Again, the outdoor setting was a nice change of pace…even if it was cold, windy, and rainy that day, too. My only real gripe was the swag: Race shirt is a boring gray cotton t-shirt…probably the weakest race shirt I’ve picked up along the way. Oh well…whatcha gonna do?
The race route carved a scenic path through Eau Claire, crossing or paralleling the rivers for much of the race. It was hillier than I expected in a few parts, but not necessarily a hilly race…I think my tired legs were just grumbly. There was a 2ish mile out and back into a wooded park area along a dirt road at miles 9.5 – 11.5ish, which was a muddy tromp because of the rain. I love trail runs, but that little stretch did nothing to add to the event, and the thought of slogging in mud with that much left in the race didn’t excite me. Still…a minor quibble. I loved all the bridge crossings (mile 22 was my fave), and the Blugold Mile with the UWEC students near the end was a fun (and much-needed) boost of energy.
Post-race was standard fare…typical bananas, water, chocolate milk, and a few other goodies. There was a party tent and a single beer ticket. Beer selection was decent. Plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby to continue your celebration if you like.
Lots of shops in downtown Eau Claire offered perks to runners, mostly 10% discounts. May same trivial, but I love it when local businesses support the race and the runners like that. Makes me want to support them in return.
The Eau Claire Marathon was a great event, and I confess: I’ve fallen in love with Wisconsin during my visit. I may have just found my next home.
Very hilly race!
I signed up for this race after reading all the other positive reviews, and hoping this could be a Boston qualifier race for me. The pros: this is a very … MORE
I signed up for this race after reading all the other positive reviews, and hoping this could be a Boston qualifier race for me.
The pros: this is a very fun, cute, hip town. The race is very well-run. The smallness of the race make all the logistics EASY! After the race, the support, the cheering, the snacks, and after-party are super uplifting. The whole town is buzzing. The race t-shirt was cute, although looks very small.
The cons: this is not a flat course. I’m from Chicago and not used to such a hilly course. Despite my hill-training, I found the hills extremely challenging. Except for two flat areas, it felt like there was a hill at every turn.
Another con, is that the half-marathon merges with the marathon at mile 16! That means you are weaving in and out, dodging slower runners and even walkers! It slowed me down considerably. And I lost some of the other runners I had been keeping pace with in the crowd.
Another con, is that many areas of the race are quiet with very few crowds. You are running in residential areas that may have a few people out, but not enough to give you a pick me up as you battle the hills. I found it depressing.
Overall, if trying to qualify for Boston, or get a PR, I would never choose this race. I feel like I made a crucial mistake. I qualified only barely, and thus will likely have to run another marathon this fall to get a better time.
Last con, the medals were pretty awful! Big giant rectangle with the huge word Decade on it since this is the 10th anniversary of the marathon. Tacky. Last year’s (state of WI shape) looked so much cooler!
Biggest small town race! Great crowd!
Fun scenery with bridges, smile mile, musical mile, Blugold mile (run through the university). The course is not an out an back, but there are a few key areas for … MORE
Fun scenery with bridges, smile mile, musical mile, Blugold mile (run through the university). The course is not an out an back, but there are a few key areas for spectators to be able to see their runners multiple times. Professionally produced with a hometown feel. T-shirts are super soft (I usually have to size up). Finisher medals are heavy duty.
My first 10k, and Eau Claire's first 10k
I chose the Eau Claire Marathon for my first 10k - and was surprised it is also the race's first as well! I thought it was super smooth. Easy parking … MORE
I chose the Eau Claire Marathon for my first 10k – and was surprised it is also the race’s first as well! I thought it was super smooth. Easy parking nearby, fun festival atmosphere for even the shorter races. Great aid stations if needed. Absolutely loved crossing all the bridges, but that first uphill is rough! Even for a shorter race, the course was lined with spectators cheering everyone on – that made it SO much fun! Thanks for a great time.