Eau Claire Marathon Course Maps & Elevation

Explore the Eau Claire Marathon Weekend course maps and elevation profiles for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Find course elevation, hills, water and Gatorade stations, medical locations, start and finish areas, and other details to help you prepare for race day in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Eau Claire Marathon & Relay Course + Elevation

The Eau Claire Marathon is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course with approximately 611 feet of elevation gain over 26.2 miles. The course features rolling terrain with its most noticeable hills around miles 5, 12 and 15. After the final significant climb, runners can look forward to a net-down second half, including the energy of UW–Eau Claire's Blugold Mile before an exciting downtown finish.

Along the way, runners cross nine bridges over the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers and experience a mix of riverfront paths, neighborhoods, the UW–Eau Claire campus and downtown Eau Claire.

Eau Claire Half Marathon Course + Elevation

The Eau Claire Half Marathon features approximately 348 feet of elevation gain over 13.1 miles. The course includes some rolling terrain early on, with a hill around mile 4 and a gradual incline around mile 6 before transitioning into a flatter, faster second half that gives runners a great opportunity to settle into their pace and finish strong.

Along the way, runners cross nine bridges over the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, experience the energy of UW–Eau Claire’s Blugold Mile, and make their way toward the finish line in downtown Eau Claire.

Eau Claire 10K Course + Elevation

The Eau Claire 10K Charity Classic takes runners and walkers on a scenic 6.2-mile course through Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The course features mostly gentle, rolling terrain with its most noticeable climb around mile 3, followed by a flatter second half toward the finish. Along the way, participants cross three bridges—all different from the nine bridges featured on Sunday’s Marathon and Half Marathon courses—giving 10K participants their own unique tour of Eau Claire.

Whether you're racing the 10K, walking it or taking it on as part of an ECM multi-event challenge, it’s a fun way to experience even more of Eau Claire Marathon Weekend.

Eau Claire 5K Course + Elevation

The Eau Claire 5K takes runners and walkers on a scenic 3.1-mile course through Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The course features gentle rolling terrain early, followed by a mostly flat and fast second half, making it a great option for first-time 5K participants, walkers and runners looking to race.

Starting near Carson Park, participants travel through the surrounding area before making their way toward the finish. Whether you're running, walking or taking on the 5K as part of an ECM multi-event challenge, it’s a fun way to kick off Eau Claire Marathon Weekend.

Eau Claire Marathon Course FAQs

Eau Claire Half Marathon Course FAQs

  • The Eau Claire Marathon features approximately 611 feet of elevation gain over 26.2 miles. Runners will encounter some rolling terrain and several noticeable hills in the first half of the race, but the entire second half is net downhill, creating a faster finish as runners make their way through UW-Eau Claire’s Blugold Mile and toward downtown Eau Claire.

  • The Eau Claire Marathon is best described as a rolling course rather than an extremely hilly course. Runners will encounter the most noticeable hills around miles 5, 12 and 15, but the entire second half of the course is net downhill, giving runners an opportunity to settle into a faster rhythm as they head toward the Blugold Mile and downtown finish.

  • The Eau Claire Marathon has three more noticeable hills around miles 5, 12 and 15. After the climb around mile 15, runners can look forward to a net-down second half of the course, helping set up a faster finish as the race heads through UW–Eau Claire, the Blugold Mile and toward downtown Eau Claire

  • The Eau Claire Marathon can be a strong choice for runners pursuing a Boston qualifying time. The USATF-certified course has approximately 611 feet of elevation gain overall, with a flatter, faster second half that brings runners through UW-Eau Claire's energetic Blugold Mile and back toward the downtown finish.

    Earning a Boston qualifying time depends on your age-group standard, training, race-day conditions and performance—and running a qualifying time does not guarantee acceptance into the Boston Marathon.

  • Eau Claire Marathon: The marathon course is supported for 6.5 hours, which is approximately a 15-minute-per-mile pace. After that time, the course begins reopening to vehicle traffic and participants may be asked to move to the sidewalk. We won't remove participants from the course—our Back of the Pack support helps make sure everyone has the opportunity to reach the finish line and earn their medal. Eau Claire Marathon

  • Yes! The Eau Claire Marathon is an official Boston Marathon qualifying race. The 26.2-mile course is USATF-certified, meaning runners who meet the applicable Boston Marathon qualifying standard can use their Eau Claire Marathon finish time to apply for Boston. Eau Claire Marathon

    Keep in mind that achieving a Boston qualifying time does not guarantee entry into the Boston Marathon, as acceptance depends on the B.A.A.'s registration requirements and available field size.

  • The Eau Claire Half Marathon features approximately 348 feet of elevation gain over 13.1 miles. Most of the climbing comes earlier in the race, while the second half is flatter and faster, giving runners a great opportunity to find their rhythm and finish strong as they head toward the Blugold Mile and downtown Eau Claire.

  • The Eau Claire Half Marathon is best described as rolling rather than hilly. The course features approximately 348 feet of elevation gain over 13.1 miles, with more of the rolling terrain occurring earlier in the race. The second half is flatter and faster, giving runners a great opportunity to find their rhythm and finish strong as they head through the Blugold Mile and toward downtown Eau Claire.

  • Most of the climbing on the Eau Claire Half Marathon occurs in the first half of the race. Runners will notice the more significant inclines around mile 4 and again as the course approaches its highest point around miles 6–7. From there, the course becomes much more runner-friendly—the second half is essentially flat or downhill, giving runners a faster stretch toward UW–Eau Claire, the Blugold Mile and the downtown finish.

  • Eau Claire Half Marathon: The half marathon course is supported for 5 hours. Volunteers, water stations, police and medical support are available during that time, and participants are not removed from the course.