The Heart of Eau Claire: How Pacer and Marathoner JC Lippold Inspires Runners to Keep Showing Up

The Eau Claire Marathon has always been about community and few people embody that spirit better than JC Lippold. A seven-time Eau Claire Marathon participant and former pacer, JC is more than a runner. He’s a teacher of movement and mindset, a theater director, a musician, and a mental health advocate. He’s completed 40 marathons, including all six of the World Marathon Majors, yet he keeps coming back to Eau Claire for one reason: it feels like home.

JC’s roots in Eau Claire run deep. His father grew up there, and when he started running the marathon years ago, it quickly became a fixture on his race calendar. “A lot of people want to run 50 marathons in 50 states,” he says. “I want to run Eau Claire every year.”

After racing across the globe—from Berlin to Boston—JC still finds something uniquely special about Eau Claire. “There’s no better way to know a city than to run through it,” he explains. “Eau Claire isn’t just a race. It’s an experience that the entire community brings to life.” From the wooded trails and river crossings to the cheers of local spectators, he describes it as the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-race energy.

That same sense of connection drew JC to pacing. As a marathon pacer, he helped other runners stay on track to hit their goals. “Pacing is selfless,” he says. “It’s not about my race, it’s about theirs.” He often led the 4:30 group, known affectionately as the “Oprah Winfrey pace” for her marathon time. His job was to keep everyone steady, encouraged, and confident, even when the miles got tough.

JC laughs when asked what happens if a pacer has to take a bathroom break. “I live with constant panic about that,” he jokes. “But the truth is, pacing is about adjusting and staying positive. When a pacer handles challenges with calm energy, it reminds runners that success isn’t about perfection, it’s about perseverance.”

Over the years, JC has collected countless stories from the course. One of his favorites happened near the finish line at Carson Park. As his pace group tackled the final hill, several runners began to fall behind. JC stopped just before the finish, turned back, and shouted encouragement until every last runner crossed the line. “That moment wasn’t about my finish,” he says. “It was about watching them realize they could do it.”

He experienced a different kind of race-day joy last year while serving as the 10K sweeper - the volunteer who stays behind the final participant. That morning, he met Annie, a first-time 10K runner overcoming major health challenges. When she worried she might not finish in time, JC assured her, “You won’t finish last today. I will.” They walked the course together, cheered on by volunteers and runners from other events. Annie later completed her first marathon in Mankato. “That’s what makes Eau Claire special,” JC says. “It creates space for everyone, no matter their pace or story, to feel seen and supported.”

For JC, running has never been about speed or records. “I don’t even know my PR,” he admits. “I run because it connects me to people and reminds me of what’s possible.” His approach to training is equally unconventional. In his first marathon, he purposely avoided running more than 10 miles before race day because he wanted every new distance - from 13 to 26 - to feel fresh and exciting. “Everyone’s body and journey are different,” he says. “Success comes from listening to what you need and trusting that it’s enough.”

After 40 marathons, JC continues to serve the Eau Claire Marathon community in whatever role he’s needed- pacer, volunteer, or cheerleader. “Eau Claire is one of those races that pulls you back,” he says. “Even if you’re not running, you want to be there.”

He plans to return again in 2025, helping at the finish line and soaking up the race-day energy. “People in Eau Claire show up for this event, whether they’re running 26 miles or handing out water,” he says. “That’s what makes it special. It’s not just a marathon—it’s a movement.”