Why I Love Working for the Best Full & Half Marathon in Wisconsin

People often ask me what it’s like to work for a marathon. The short answer? It’s inspiring, exhausting (in the best way), emotional, and incredibly rewarding. But the longer answer is this: I love what I do because the Eau Claire Marathon is so much more than a race.

It’s a community celebration.

As a runner, before I ever worked behind the scenes, I had no idea what it truly took to put on an event that brings nearly 5,000 people together. I showed up, pinned on a bib, ran the miles, grabbed a medal, and went home. Now, I get to see everything that happens long before race morning ever arrives — and it has given me a whole new level of respect for what goes into an event like this.

From ordering thousands of shirts and medals, to sitting down with city officials, to counting traffic cones, to mapping every turn on the course, to planning a post-race party that feels like a true celebration — there are countless moving pieces that all have to come together. Every small detail matters, because every small detail shapes a runner’s experience. That behind-the-scenes work is a huge part of what makes the Eau Claire Marathon the best full and half marathon in Wisconsin.

What truly sets the Eau Claire Marathon apart, though, isn’t just logistics — it’s the people. Every year, I get to watch thousands of runners line up with wildly different stories but the same goal. Some are chasing a PR. Some are running their very first race. Some are honoring someone they love. Some are proving something to themselves. And for a few hours on a spring morning in Eau Claire, all of those stories come together on the same course.

That never gets old.

I love working for this race because I get to help build something that matters. Something healthy. Something hopeful. Something that brings people together. Whether someone is running 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, or cheering from the sidewalk, they’re part of something bigger than themselves. And being even a small part of making that happen is incredibly meaningful.

There’s a moment every race weekend when it all clicks. The streets are closed. The start line is set. Music is playing. Runners are bouncing on their toes. And I always think: This is why we do it.

I also love that this race reflects Eau Claire itself. Supportive. Energetic. Welcoming. We hear it every year from runners who travel in: the crowd support, the scenery, the organization, the heart. They don’t just remember their finish time — they remember how the race made them feel.

And that’s what makes it the full marathon (and half marathon) in Wisconsin to choose.

At the end of race day, when the last runner comes through and the course is quiet again, I’m tired. But I’m also proud. Proud of the team behind the scenes. Proud of the community that shows up. Proud of the runners who trusted us with their race day.

That’s why I love working for the Eau Claire Marathon. Because we don’t just put on a race — we help create a day people carry with them long after they cross the finish line.

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Heather Market-Sullivan
Director of Operations