2024 Eau Claire Marathon Participant Guide

Claire Marathon

April 27 & 28 2024

Schedule of Events

Packet Pick-up

Kids’ Run

Marathon Relay

Course Routes

Full Half

5k & 10k

Spectator Guide

Race Day

On the Course

Pacers

Finish Line

Barstow Block Party

Results & Awards

Runner’s High

Road Closures

Food and Parking

Official Race Hotel

Merchandise Sponsors

Save the Date

MESSAGE FROM OUR RACE COMMITTEE

To our participants, from the ECM Race Committee

Dear participants,

We are so thrilled to welcome you to Eau Claire, WI and have you join us April 27 and 28, 2024! This year, we’ve introduced our Five-Year Finisher’s Medal series! Run an ECM event in 2024-2028 and earn the coveted magnetic clip to complete your series of finisher’s medals and receive a custom ECM hoodie!

We are also excited to partner with Twin Cities in Motion for the Half & Half Challenge, nearly 200 of you are running the Get in Gear half marathon on Saturday and the ECM half marathon on Sunday to earn yourself a bonus medal!

Whether your goal is to complete your first 5K or qualify for the Boston Marathon, we are here to support you. Our committee prides itself on giving you a weekend to remember and a race experience for the books. We truly are “The Biggest Small Town Race in the U.S.”

As your training tapers and you prepare for race weekend, this participant guide shares the final details you need. If you have any remaining questions, please reach out to us at info@eauclairemarathon.com

On behalf of our race committee, the city of Eau Claire, our sponsors, and volunteers, thank you for choosing to #RUNEC! We’ll see you at the start line!

Sincerely,

Eau Claire Marathon Race Committee

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Photo opportunity sponsored by:

Racer Packet Pick-up

Phoenix Park 330 Riverfront Terrace

Sat, April 27 | 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Sun, April 28 | 6:00 AM - 8:30 AM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can someone else pick up my race bib? Yes, with a copy or picture of your ID and bib number.

Can I exchange my shirt? T-shirt exchange is available on Sunday next to the Gear Check Uhaul Truck and Beer Tent. Additional quantities limited.

Kids’ Run Pick-up

Forest St Pavilion 112 E Madison St

Sat, April 27 | 2:30 PM - 4:15 PM

Can I purchase merchandise after my race? Merch is available for purchase at packet pick-up and at the finish line to help you commemorate a great race!

Packet pick-up sponsored by:

CHERI UELMEN’S FANTASTICALLY FUN KIDS’ RUN

The Diaper Dash

3:00 PM | 0-2 year olds

Half Obstacle Course

3:20 PM | 3-4 year olds

3:25 PM | 5-6 year olds

Full Obstacle Course

3:30 PM | 5-6 year olds

3:35 PM | 7-8 year olds

3:40 PM | 9-10 year olds

3:45 PM | 11+ year olds

3:50 PM | Open Division

Sponsored by:

TRANSITION ZONES

LEG 1 START

Mile 0 | Phoenix Park

LEG 1 FINISH/LEG 2 START

Mile 6.9 | Riverview Dr/Marquette St

LEG 2 FINISH/LEG 3 START

Mile 12.5 | Airport Rd

LEG 3 FINISH/LEG 4 START

Mile 19.8 | Bike Trail/Western Ave

HOW DO THE RELAY BUSES WORK?

The relay buses load along the north side of Galloway Street in the Oxbow Hotel parking lot (516 Galloway St, Eau Claire, WI). Buses start at 6:30 AM and depart every 10 minutes and run continuously to each relay exchange zone. To best accommodate our relay teams, only runners may utilize the shuttle buses.

CAN WE WATCH AND CHEER ON OUR TEAMMATES?

YES! We encourage team members to stay together at each transition to cheer on the incoming and outgoing runners. As soon as the outgoing runner takes off, jump back on the bus and head to the next relay exchange!

HOW WILL OUR TIME BE TRACKED?

Your team race packet includes a race timing strap (each team has one strap). The race strap has the timing chip inside and must be worn on the ankle of the person running (starting with runner #1 at the start line). At each transition area, the strap must be taken off and secured around the ankle of the next runner. Failure to do so may result in missed chip reads and disqualification.

WILL WE NEED TO TRANSFER OUR BIB BETWEEN RUNNERS?

Nope! Each team member will have their own bib with your team number on it. This number matches your race strap number.

Not to brag, but...

The Eau Claire Marathon (and half marathon) boasts award-winning courses, but don’t take our word for it, here are the facts and some quotes from past participants.

FULL MARATHON Boston Qualifier

Nine unique bridges

Eighteen water stations

Two Honey Stinger stations

Thorough tour of Eau Claire, WI

Walkable Start-to-Finish lines

HALF MARATHON

Nine unique bridges

Eleven water stations

One Honey Stinger station

Reconnects with Marathon at Mile 7

Considered one of the best in WI

Walkable Start-to-Finish lines

SMALL TOWN / BIG PERKS

This race brings all of the feeling of a small town race, but some of the perks of a well organized and large event.

BEAUTIFUL & SUPPORTIVE

A beautiful scenic and well supported marathon route which includes a total of 13 river bridge crossings between all of the races. The aesthetics of this route invigorates your running experience. A highly recommended marathon for those who want to experience Wisconsin’s natural beauty!

ALL-TIME FAVORITE

The Eau Claire Half Marathon is an all-time favorite! The entire town comes out to cheer and volunteer. The energy from the crowds is what makes this race so fun.

WALKER BIB

HALF RACE BIB

10K

6.2 miles

Two water stations

Three foot bridges

Scenic paved foot path/trail

Several spectator spots

Medical at finish line

10K RACE BIB

5K & 10K COURSES

5K

3.1 miles

One water station

Three foot bridges

Scenic paved foot path/trail

Several spectator spots

Medical at finish line

5K RACE BIB

SPECTATOR GUIDE

ONE Phoenix Park (330 Riverfront Terrace)

Start Line/Mile 3.3 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 2.8 of the Half Marathon. Watch the start, then cross the Madison St. bridge.

TWO The Brewing Projekt (1807 N Oxford Ave)

Mile 3.5 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 3.0 of the Half Marathon. Food trucks, mimosas, bloody mary’s, and marathon-themed beer.

SIX Kwik Trip (3426 Melby Street)

Stop in to the new Kwik Trip for a snack, then head to the bike trail to cheer on the Marathon/Relay.

SEVEN Relay Exchange on Western Ave

Mile 19.8 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 6.7 of the Half Marathon. Join all of the runners and the Relay teams as they transition from runner 3 to 4!

EIGHT Boyd Park

Mile 22 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 8.9 of the Half is a great spot for families with playground equipment and paved sidewalks for bikes.

THREE North Crossing / Old Wells Road

Mile 5 - Join us for the Smile Mile!

FOUR Airport Rd/Riverview Dr

Mile 12.2 of the Marathon/Relay. Head North on Airport Drive to catch your partici-

NINE Children's Museum (126 N Barstow St)

Mile 23.1 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 10 of the Half. Bring your kids to create noisemakers, make cheer signs, and play in their brand new outdoor space!

TEN Barstow Block Party (291 S Barstow Street)

Mile 23.2 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 10.1 of the Half. Jam with the DJ outside the beer garden and find the ECM beer tent and food trucks from 10 AM to 2PM.

ELEVEN UWEC Welcome Center (127 Roosevelt Ave)

Mile 25.1 of the Marathon/Relay and Mile 12 of the Half is the start of the Blugold Mile!!! This is a great location for UWEC Alumni to cheer. From State St, head down McKinley to park and walk to the Welcome Center.

It’s time to get loud.

Bring your cowbells, whistles, noisemakers, and outdoor voices; it’s time to show the Eau Claire Marathon participants that we see them! Find some of the best cheering locations described on the previous page and mapped out below!

RACE DAY

GEAR CHECK

All full and half marathon participants will receive a reusable gear check bag, compliments of Dan Realty Group. Simply add your name & bib number to your drawstring bag, drop it off at the start line, then pick it up just after the finish line at the intersection of Barstow & Eau Claire St.

COURSE TIME LIMIT

Volunteers, aid stations, police, and medical will only be available for six hours. We will not remove any participant from the course.

HEADPHONE USE

Headphone use during the race is allowed in accordance with USATF rules. If you use headphones, you are expected to be aware of road, race conditions, and other runners.

RACE DAY PARKING

Parking is available on the route. Be sure to check out the road closures so you don’t get stuck in the wrong part of the course!

RACE BIB AND NUMBER

Your race bib, sponsored by Window World, contains your timing chip and should be located on the front of your outermost article of clothing throughout your race. This will also help you find your FREE race pictures and bib perks downtown.

START LINE AND STAGING

Line up in the starting corral near the sign for your pace. We use chip timing, so your race starts when you cross the starting line. Walk until you cross the start line to spread out.

DISCARDED CLOTHING

Articles of clothing discarded at the start line will be donated to a local charity.

FREE RACE DAY PHOTOS

All photos taken by Eau Claire Marathon photographers are FREE to you.

To help us identify you, please be sure to have your bib number clearly displayed on the front of your shirt. Photos will be available 48-72 hours after race weekend!

FIRST AID, WATER, & RESTROOMS

First Aid Medical Tents are available at six stations throughout the course.

Gatorade sponsors water and orange Gatorade roughly every two miles on the full and half marathon courses.

Scheels of Eau Claire sponsors Honey Stinger Energy Gel at two locations along the courses near water stations.

Portable lavatories are at the start line and nearly every two miles on the routes.

TROUBLESHOOTING

If you need help with your registration or would like to complete a late registration please contact our troubleshooting booth. Late registration spots are available on race weekend but are limited and will close 45-minutes prior to the start of each race time.

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found items should be brought to the merchandise check-out. Please email us at the address below if you lose something during the race weekend.

TRACKING RUNNERS

Download the Mtec Results app from your app store to track participants in real time, view post race results, and stay up to date on event information. In the app, search for the Eau Claire Marathon in upcoming events.

ON THE COURSE

13 UNIQUE FOOT BRIDGES SMILE MILE

The Blugold Mile is a loud distraction that comes when you need it the most! UW-Eau Claire athletic teams, clubs, bands, rec sports, students and staff all join in the energy as they cheer you on toward your finish! BLUGOLD MILE

FULLMARATHON

25

12 HALFMARATHON

LOCATED AT MILE 5

BLUGOLD MILE AT UWEC

Just when you can’t imagine it getting any better, you run through the Blugold Mile at the UW-Eau Claire campus. You’re greeted by the marching band & students cheering & handing out high fives.

On Pace Race Pacing PACER TEAM

Our On Pace Race pace team will encourage and support runners to finish in a designated time. They will share stories, jokes, nutritional tips, course highlights and be your biggest cheerleader as you cross the finish line together!

THEY HELP MY RACE TIME

Local runners talk about how awesome On Pace pacers are, how it helps their times, and some had no idea what a pacer did prior to running with them.

FINISH LINE

All Finishers Receive:

Finisher’s race medal

Post-race food

Water and chocolate milk

Beer at the Barstow Block Party (21+ only)

Heat shield

Bib perks (see below)

Got a Bib? Get GREAT Stuff.

The Eau Claire Marathon has partnered with amazing downtown businesses to provide ECM participants discounts by showing their race bib. Click the button below for a list of those businesses and discounts or look for the race bib displayed windows downtown!

BIB PERKS ONLINE

THIS IS NOT JUST A RACE, But a weekend long celebration that improves every single year! I love how these courses incorporate so many of the city’s bridges, its beautiful downtown area, and the energy of the college campus.

Finish line food sponsored by:

RESULTS & AWARDS

Event Awards

CHIP TIMING

Awards are given to the overall winner (male, female, and non-binary) along with the top three finishers (male and female) in each age group.

Saturday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Finish Line Area) Sunday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Beer Tent Area)

There is not a formal awards ceremony, if you think you won an award, check in with the awards area.

Course Records

5K MALE Dnny Docherty (2023) 15:22

5K FEMALE Mel Schwoerer (2021) 18:20

RELAY COED El Jefe Running (2018) 2:46:21

RELAY MALE Northstar Running (2016) 2:47:36

RELAY FEMALE Couz we can (2021) 3:09:27

The Eau Claire Marathon partners with the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Wanåda Age Group World Ranking.

All Eau Claire Marathon events are chip-timed. The chip is located on the back of your bib. Make sure you are wearing your bib on the front, preferably on your chest or stomach without anything covering it. This will also assist in our photo recognition.

SPEAKING OF AWARDS

With an average rating 4.9/5 stars the Eau Claire Marathon earned the RACECHECK Gold Award last year. Click the award to read the reviews and leave one of your own!

Awards sponsored by

Ride That Good Energy!

Whether it’s the feeling of accomplishment, knowing that you want to improve, or both; if you’re ready to sign up for your next race, let us help! Here are some friends of the Eau Claire Marathon that are ready to host you!

Don’t forget to save the date to #RUNEC in April 26-27, 2025. Mark your calendars today and stay tuned for when registration opens in Summer 2024.

EAU CLAIRE MARATHON WEBSITE

ROAD CLOSURES

What roads are closed on Marathon Sunday?

Madison Street Bridge (Farwell to Whipple Ave)

Whipple Street (Madison St to Fulton St) Fulton Street (Whipple St to 5th Ave) 6th Avenue (Fulton St to Chippea St)

Broadway Street (6th Ave to 9th Ave) 9th Avenue (Broadway St to Chippewa St) 5th Avenure (Madison St to Fulton St) Chippea Street (9th Ave to 1st Ave) 1st Avenue (Chippewa St to Grand Ave) 1st Avenue (Water St to Lake St) Lake Street Bridge (1st Ave to Graham Ave)

Barstow Street (Galloway St to Newton St) Graham Avenue (Eau Claire St to Lake St) Graham Avenue (Marston Ave to Wilson St) 3rd Street (Fountain St to Garden St) Dewey Street (Eau Claire St to Galloway St) State Street (Clairemont Ave to Washington St)

FOOD AND PARKING

Good eats in Eau Claire.

“If you think Wisconsin’s culinary culture is limited to beer and cheese, you’re in for a tasty surprise. In Eau Claire, the push toward farm-to-fork restaurants with locallysourced ingredients has taken root and the community gathers around flavorful entrees, budget-friendly shareables and delightful desserts.” -Visit Eau Claire

Use the links and information below to plan your stay in Eau Claire (click any of the white buttons); you’ll find the best places to stay, eat, where to run, and all of the many great things to do, other than the excitment of the Eau Claire Marathon!

Marathon Weekend Guide to Eau Claire

Discover what to do in Eau Claire from the locals who wrote about it; includes food, lodging, running trails, and things to do in the area!

Eau Claire Area Restaurants & Bars

Searching for a dive into the food scene, look no further.

Search by food types and link out directly to restaurant’s websites for menu listings.

OFFICIAL RACE HOTEL

While supplies last! Find our merchandise tent at the expo and on both race days at the start and finish lines.

That’s Saturday from 2pm-7pm and Sunday from 6am-1pm.

When Local Matters Most

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SAVE THE DATE

APRIL 26-27, 2025 Registration opens on Summer 2024

FOLLOW #RUNEC

FACEBOOK @EAUCLAIREMARATHON

INSTAGRAM @RUNECMARATHON

TWITTER @ECMARATHON

WEBSITE EAUCLAIREMARATHON.COM

EMAIL INFO@EAUCLAIREMARATHON.COM