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The Eau Claire Marathon is an annual marathon that takes place in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the United States. The race starts and finishes at Phoenix Park and features views of the Chippewa River. In 2023, RaceRaves announced the Eau Claire was the best marathon in Wisconsin based on feedback they received. Similarly, the half marathon accompaying the Eau Claire Marathon received similar honors in 2024.

Race history

Eau Claire had an eponymous marathon prior to 2009. For example, Barney Klecker won the 1984 Eau Claire Marathon with a time of 2:28:51 despite starting late. He was one of 130 runners that year.

The current iteration of the Eau Claire Marathon was started in 2009. The race directors are Karen and Kevin Drechsel. Karen Drechsel said she was inspired to start a marathon in her hometown after seeing crowds at the Green Bay Marathon, Grandma's Marathon, and Twin Cities Marathon.

Patrick Russel won the men's race in 2009. According to Karen Drechsel, 1700 runners participated in Eau Claire Marathon-affiliated events including 270 in the marathon during its inaugural year. The race started and finished at Carson Park. The first year raised $32,000 for the Eau Claire YMCA.

The second running of the race in 2010 featured minor changes and was still held at Carson Park. First, the marathon, half marathon, and two mile race shared the same finish line for the first time. Second, chip timing was introduced. Jessop Keene won the men's race with a time of 3:01:55, while Wendy Miller won the women's race with a time of 3:12:18. A total of 1,800 runners participated in all three Eau Claire Marathon-affiliated events the second year including 178 who ran the marathon. The race costs $80,000 to $100,000 to put on, and generated a $65,000 profit. The Eau Claire Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the race brought $256,500 to the local economy. The Eau Claire Marathon was a Boston Marathon-qualifying race.

The third running of the Eau Claire Marathon in 2011 drew 338 runners from 21 states running the full marathon. Patrick Russell won the men's race with a time of 2:50:59, while Lisa Tavares won the women's race with a time of 3:22:39. The race faced cold, rainy weather and possible flooding for the first time.

References

1. "RCU to be title sponsor for Eau Claire Marathon". WEAU News (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). September 5, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
2. Boyle, Caitlin (May 31, 2023). "Eau Claire Marathon recognized among the best in nation, and as very best in Wisconsin". WQOW News (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). Retrieved December 10, 2024.
3. Hoyt, Shannon (April 30, 2024). "Eau Claire half marathon recognized as best in state". WQOW News (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). Retrieved December 10, 2024.
4. Wineger, Karin (March 23, 1986). "LIFE IN THE FAST LANES - Running, snowshoeing or some other sport, Barney and Janis Klecker are in perpetual motion". Minnesota Star Tribune.
5. Held, Tom (April 17, 2009). "Running through the recession". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
6. "Delighted Eau Claire Marathon official plans for 2010 race". Saint Paul Pioneer Press. May 3, 2009.
7. Held, Tom (April 29, 2010). "On the run in Wisconsin. One weekend. Three marathons". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
8. Held, Tom (May 4, 2009). "Looking back at Wisconsin's marathon weekend". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
9. Dowd, Andrew (March 9, 2010). "Council questions streetlight costs". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
10. Held, Tom (April 29, 2010). "On the run in Wisconsin. One weekend. Three marathons". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
11. O'Brien, Christena T. (April 30, 2010). "Colleague's death pushes man to race Eau Claire Marathon". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
12. O'Brien, Christena T. (April 30, 2010). "Colleague's death pushes man to race Eau Claire Marathon". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
13. Hockett, Mike (May 2, 2010). "Keene, 18, wins Eau Claire Marathon". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
14. Held, Tom (May 3, 2010). "Ruffalo, Ryf and Miller set the pace on Wisconsin marathon weekend". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
15. O'Brien, Christena T. (May 3, 2010). "Eau Claire Marathon draws more than 1,800 runners". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
16. Swedien, Jon (April 29, 2011). "EC Marathon still growing at fast clip in its third year". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
17. Urban, Ryan (May 19, 2011). "Friends go the distance at Boston". Chronotype, The (Rice Lake, WI).
18. Swedien, Jon (April 29, 2011). "EC Marathon still growing at fast clip in its third year". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
19. Peterson, Ben (May 1, 2011). "North grad Russell wins second Eau Claire Marathon". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin).
20. "Kudos to those who aided, ran in chilly marathon". Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin). May 7, 2011.

External links

• Official website

• 2009 establishments in Michigan
• Marathons in the United States
• Eau Claire, Wisconsin
• Recurring sporting events established in 2009
• Foot races in Wisconsin
• Track and field in Wisconsin