April Podcast Guest: Tina Lamb
A Runner From Alaska, Three Races in Two Days, and an Eau Claire Marathon Experience She’ll Never Forget
When runners travel across the country to join the Eau Claire Marathon, they often bring memorable stories with them. Few illustrate that better than Tina “from Alaska” Lamb, who made the long trip from Anchorage to Wisconsin for the 2024 g-EAU Big Challenge. Tina is known for her bright race-day outfits, her ability to collect friends instantly, and her signature selfies with anyone willing to smile for the camera. Her energy and joy made her one of the most talked-about runners of the weekend.
Tina discovered the Eau Claire Marathon in an unexpected place. While running Anchorage Run Fest, she met Gwen, one of ECM’s ambassadors. Gwen wore Eau Claire Marathon gear and mentioned she was from Wisconsin. Tina realized she still needed Wisconsin for her goal of running a half or full marathon in all fifty states. One conversation sparked her curiosity, and the Eau Claire Marathon quickly made its way onto her list.
Once she looked into the event, the g-EAU Big Challenge caught her attention. The idea of running the Saturday night 5K followed by the half marathon the next morning appealed to her. She signed up, then discovered that the Minneapolis “Get in Gear” half marathon fell on the same day she planned to fly into the Midwest. Instead of backing out, she decided to run both. That meant a Saturday morning half marathon in Minneapolis, a ninety-mile drive to Eau Claire, a Saturday night 5K, and another half marathon on Sunday. Most people would reconsider. Tina chose adventure.
This was not her first big race weekend. She had completed multi-state challenges and Disney’s multi-day Dopey Challenge. Still, completing two half marathons and a 5K in less than forty-eight hours requires mental strength and smart training. She prepared by stacking long-run days and practicing back-to-back efforts. She also relied on adrenaline and the company of other runners. “The social side of racing keeps me going,” she said. “I love meeting people and hearing their stories.”
Her weekend in Eau Claire started with the expo and the Cheri Uelmen’s Fantastically Fun Kids’ Run, which she found surprisingly fun to watch. On race day, she immediately noticed the difference between small-town charm and big-race energy. She praised the organization, parking, friendly volunteers, and the large number of participants. She expected a quieter race but found the opposite. From neighborhood cheer squads to decorated streets, she appreciated how the community showed up.
One of her favorite moments came during the BlugoldMile. As she recorded video of the cheering UW-Eau Claire students, she suddenly heard someone shout “There’s Tina from Alaska!” over a microphone. She could hardly believe it. She had posted her race outfit on the event’s Facebook page, but she never expected anyone to recognize her mid-race. That small gesture became one of her most treasured memories.
The weekend offered plenty of serendipitous moments. She met two runners from Alaska whom she had never met before. She ran sections of the course with a first-time half marathoner also from southeast Alaska. She laughed about passing the beer garden at mile ten, wishing she were done, and later closed down that same beer garden while waiting for friends.
Tina had worried she might spend sections of the race alone because she assumed a smaller event would spread out. Instead, she always found someone to run near, talk to, or cheer for. She loved the course, appreciated the bridges and scenic views, and enjoyed the well-placed relay exchanges. The finish-line snacks, beer garden, and post-race atmosphere exceeded her expectations.
When asked how she describes the Eau Claire Marathon to other runcationers, she answers easily. “It feels like a big race wrapped inside a small town,” she said. “Everyone is welcoming. The support is incredible. You never feel alone out there.”
Tina plans to continue her quest to reach one hundred half marathons and race in every state. With thirty-four states done and eighty half marathons completed, she knows she will cross those goals someday. Eau Claire now has a permanent place in that story.
If she returns, she hopes to stay longer so she can explore more of the city beyond the course. Whether she comes back to race, cheer, or take selfies with more finishers, Eau Claire will be ready for her.
Listen to the full April “Running on Air” episode here: Running on Air with the EC Marathon #4 - An Out of Towners View - Eau Claire Hometown Media | Podcast on Spotify
