Timeline:

2023, Eau Claire Marathon

2024, G-Eau Bigger Challenge, 5k/10k and half

2025, Marathon Relay

In 2023, when I signed up for the Eau Claire Marathon, I did not intend on becoming a lifer. Before then, I was doing Twin Cities every year and did not think there was another race weekend I could love more.

However, even though the weather was less than spectacular, the overall vibe I got from ECM was warm, full of energy and exciting. The entire town seemed to show up for the runners. Especially at 23 running through UW-EC’s campus gave me such a push to finish.

When the email came out later asking for ambassadors, I reflected on my time during the marathon and decided to apply. I was humbled when I was asked to be an ambassador and excited for my second year at ECM.

Even though my health got in the way (three year olds and germs), I had pneumonia two weeks before the marathon, so I stepped back into doing the G-Eau Bigger challenge. I was unsure what the Saturday events held, but nevertheless, I was excited.

While the courses were a bit challenging, it was fun to see everyone’s bibs and see the challenge people were up for. All the runners were friendly and talkative- it felt more like a group run and less like a race. As I finished the 10k and corralled for the 5k, my heart was so happy. Even during the 5k, people were just there for a good time and it felt like the shortest 5k because I was having such a good time!

The following day, I got to the starting line early to see my friend Kathryn off. She has heard about my marathon PR at ECM, and decided to chase her own PR. As the National Anthem played and the runners started, I felt emotional watching the marathons run. There is nothing like race morning.

When the half started, I got to run with my friend Carrie. We enjoyed the beautiful course, took lots of pictures and cheered on our fellow runners and thanked the spectators who took time to support the runners. Because of the course support, the race seemed to go by in a flash. During one of my walk breaks, I decided to check my previous half marathon PR and saw that I was within minutes of beating it. I couldn’t believe it when I crossed the finish line that I PRed my half at ECM! Even better was watching my friend Kathryn crush her marathon time shortly after.

In 2025, I had the opportunity to join friends for the marathon relay. Since my first year at ECM, I was anxiously wanting to try the relay. Given the mileage I needed for training, I opted to do the third leg. I was pleasantly surprised with how easy the transitions were for the relay. The energy the relay runners gave was simply incredible! The third leg meant that I was running with the marathons through some of the toughest miles, and because my fellow runners were back of the pack runners, I got to run with fellow back of the pack runners and give them encouragement during those hard miles. I loved talking with the marathoners- some first timers- and letting them know that they were going to finish. That they could do this. Being on fresh legs gave me the energy to cheer loudly for some runners that I could tell needed that little boost. It was such an incredible experience.

By the time we all joined up at the finish line and ran it in together, I thought about how each and every event ECM put on during their weekend really is the best.

Now if you read the title and thought “almost every race?” Yes, I have not been able to do the kid’s obstacle course, but I will say it looks like a blast.

I can say with confidence that there is no wrong race distance to choose. Each race is wonderful because the staff and volunteers put their heart and souls into making a great experience. The entire town shows up for the runners. The swag is always great. The medals are fun. I am an ECM lifer now.

Catch me this year as I do the G-Eau Big challenge (5k and half!)