Course Map
About this Race
The Eau Claire Marathon is a point-to-point USATF-certified course through western Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley, crossing nine bridges over the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers -- including one right near the start downtown -- before finishing on Graham Avenue. The second half threads through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus, including a popular stretch known as the Blugold Mile, before heading back toward the finish. The route mixes long flat river-valley stretches with a handful of short, punchy climbs rather than one sustained hill, and its Boston-qualifying status draws a mix of serious qualifiers and first-timers. Crowd support is a consistent highlight, with neighbors out along much of the route and a lively finish-line block party on North Barstow Street. It suits runners chasing a Boston qualifying time as well as those simply after a well-organized, scenic Midwest marathon.
Course Insight
The course front-loads its toughest terrain: a handful of short, sharp climbs and a notable hairpin turn in the first half, rather than one long sustained hill, before the route settles onto flatter, faster ground for the back half. That back half runs through the UW-Eau Claire campus and the Blugold Mile, widely cited by runners as one of the best-supported stretches on course -- if you've got anything left, this is where the crowd carries you. Watch your effort on the early climbs so you're not paying for it once the course flattens out for the fast finish. Crowd support holds up well for most of the route, with the biggest party atmosphere waiting at the North Barstow Street block party near mile 23.5, just before the downtown finish on Graham Avenue, which itself crosses back over the Chippewa River.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Point-To-Point
- Elevation gain
- 144m
- Elevation loss
- 136m
- Highest point
- 273m
- Lowest point
- 235m
- Net elevation
- +8m
- Start
- 300 Riverfront Terrace, Eau Claire, WI 54703 (start); finishes at 209 Graham Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701
- Cutoff time
- 6h 30m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:23:09 — David Luy (USA), 2018
- Women's
- 2:48:34 — Rachel Ragona (USA), 2021
Race History
A marathon first ran in Eau Claire in 1982 under the Indianhead Track Club, but folded after 1985. The race was revived in 2009 by Karen and Kevin Drechsel and has run continuously since, later passing to race director Emi Uelmen and her father Pat Toutant. What began as a single marathon has grown into a full race weekend spanning multiple distances.
Plan Your Trip
- Nearest airport(s)
- Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown Eau Claire, near the Graham Ave finish -- reviewers note bars, restaurants and hotels just steps from the finish area