FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Parking and Road Closures
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Check out our Race Day Parking page for a full list of available options or see the Downtown EC Parking Options below.
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W./E. Half Moon Drive (Carson Park Dr to Carson Park Dr) closed 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Carson Park Drive (Lake St/W. Grand Ave to Carson Park Parking Lot) 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
1st Ave (Phoenix Park Bridge to Oxford Ave) 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
William St (Forest St to Forest St Garden Parking Lot) 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
9th Ave (Niagara St to Broadway St) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Broadway St (9th Ave to 7th Ave) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
7th Ave (Broadway St to Market St) 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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SUNDAY ROAD CLOSURES
Madison Street Bridge (Farwell St to Whipple Ave) closed 6:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Whipple Street (Madison St. to Fulton St.) closed 6:45 AM – 7:30 AM
Fulton Street (Whipple St to 5th Ave) closed 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
6th Ave (Fulton St to Chippewa St) closed 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Broadway Street (6th Ave to 9th Ave) closed 7:00 – 7:30 AM
9th Ave (Broadway St to Chippewa St) closed 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
5th Avenue (Madison St. to Fulton St.) closed 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM
Chippewa Street (From 9th Ave to 1st Ave) closed 7:00 AM – 9:15 AM
1st Ave (Lake St to Oxford Ave) closed 7:00 AM – 9:15 AM
1st Ave (Water St. to Lake Street) closed 6:45 AM – 1:30 PM
Lake Street Bridge (1st Ave to Graham Ave.) closed 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Barstow St. closed from Galloway Street to Newton Street 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Graham Ave. (Eau Claire Street to Lake Street) from 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
**All side streets between Barstow and Graham closed from Eau Claire Street to Gray Street
3rd St. (Fountain St. to Garden St.) closed from 7:15 AM until 9:30 AM
Dewey St. (Eau Claire St. and Galloway St.) closed from 8:30 AM until 12:45 PM
Riverview Dr. southbound traffic closed from 6:45 AM until 10:00 AM
Airport Rd. (Riverview Dr. to Rivercrest Dr.) closed from 8:00 AM until 10:15 AM
State St. (Clairemont Ave. to Washington St.) closed from 9:00 AM until 1:30 PM
Graham Ave. (Marston Ave. to Wilson St.) closed from 8:45 AM until 1:00 PM
Western Ave. (Eddy Lane to Starr Ave) closed from 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Riverfront Terrace (Wisconsin Street to Madison Street) will be closed Sunday 5:00 AM - 1:00 PM
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ROAD CLOSURES
Graham Ave. (Eau Claire St. to Lake St.) closed Saturday 8:00 PM - Sunday 3:00 PM
Graham Ave. (Gibson St. to E Grand) closed Saturday 6:00 AM - Sunday 3:00 PM
9 S Barstow Parking Lot (Barstow Block Party) Saturday 3:00 PM - Sunday 5:00 PM
**Block of E. Grand Ave. (between Graham Ave. and Barstow St.) closed Saturday 3:00 PM – Sunday 2:00 PM
Race Courses
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All full and half marathon participants will receive a reusable gear check bag, compliments of Dan Realty Group.
Leave your bag blank (you will be assigned a gear check number at drop off)
Drop it in the Gear Check truck under Phoenix Park Pavillion before you head to the start line
Pick it up after you finish- located at the intersection of Barstow St. & Eau Claire St.
*There is no gear check for Saturday’s races
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Portable lavatories are located in Phoenix Park and approximately every two miles along routes. We will utilize permanent city park restrooms where they are available.
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Water stations will be located approximately every two miles along both half and full marathon courses and will include water and Lemon Lime Endurance Formula Gatorade.
Energy gel and chews will be handed out at two locations along the courses near water stations. Scheels of Eau Claire is donating and handing out Honey Stinger Gels in fruit smoothie, strawberry kiwi, Gold (honey) and Honey Stinger Chews in fruit smoothie, cherry blossom, orange.
Oranges & bananas will also be available at 2 aid stations throughout the full marathon course (1 station on the half marathon course).
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There are 6, clearly marked, first aid stations located along the half and full marathon routes. Thank you to our medical partners with the City of Eau Claire Fire & Rescue, Eau Claire County Medical Reserve Corps, and UWEC Athletic Training. If you are interested in helping out at one of the first aid stations, please contact us at info@eauclairemarathon.com.
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We thank the Eau Claire Police Department for helping keep our runners safe. The ECPD determines and assigns police officers to the busiest intersections along our courses.
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Local school bands and other musical groups are always welcome to play for the runners. If your group is interested in providing entertainment for the marathon, please email us at community@eauclairemarathon.com.
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Yes! Anyone can track your progress on race day thanks to our sponsor C&M Homebuilders!
How it works:
Visit the 2026 ECM Weekend Runner Tracking Page
Search your runner by first and last name
Select their name to view real-time progress and an estimated finish time.
Stay connected & cheer them on every step of the way!
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Yes, the Eau Claire Marathon route is certified and an official Boston Marathon qualifier.
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The Eau Claire Marathon course will remain open for 6.5 hours. Volunteer support, water stations, police, and medical services will be available based on a 6.5-hour marathon pace at each mile marker. After that time, participants may be asked to move to the sidewalk; however, all runners and walkers are welcome to continue and will have the opportunity to cross the finish line & earn their medals.
Registration and Expo
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Races changes and transfers will be available until April 1st. Race changes (upgrades and downgrades) will be charged $10 plus the price difference for upgrades. Transfer to another participant will be charged $15 for same-distance transfers (marathon to marathon, half marathon to half marathon, or 5k to 5k).
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Yes, with a photo copy of your photo ID.
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At ECM, we do not offer deferrals to future events, medical comps, or refunds. However, we do provide several options if you need to modify your participation for ECM weekend:
Race Protection: Our registration platform offers an independent race protection policy. If purchased at the time of registration, you may file a claim with the third-party administrator for a potential refund.
Transfer to Another Participant: You may transfer your registration to another runner (same distance only).
Change Your Event:
Downgrade to a shorter distance
Upgrade to a longer distance
Switch to a competitive walking division*
Move to a virtual option**
Walk Instead of Run: You’re always welcome to walk your registered race.
All changes and transfers must be completed by April 1st and include a small processing fee***.
* Competitive walking categories are offered in the 5K and Half Marathon only.
** Virtual options are available for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. Complete your distance anytime between April 19–May 17, 2026, submit your results, and we’ll ship your ECM gear and finisher’s medal.
*** Race downgrades: $10. Race upgrades: $10 + price difference. Transfers: $15 (same distance only). -
The Race Organizer reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the race shall there be any Force Majeure (as defined below) conditions that arise. In the event of race cancellation and/or reschedule due to the Force Majeure, the Race Organizer has no obligation to refund the paid entry fees to the participants, and shall not be help responsible for any risks and hazards that might happen due to the race cancellation and/or reschedule. Please note that Force Majeure refers to circumstances or conditions such as war, violence, social unrest, strikes, outbreaks, accidents, fires, floods, natural disasters, embargoes, legal reasons, or the actions of the government, and other similar events which may occur in the future, in which the Race Organizer has no ability to prevent.
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YES, you betcha!
Stop by the Eau Claire Marathon expo presented by Stifel at the Sonnentag Event Center on Saturday, May 2nd from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. It is free and open to all!
Explore over 50 vendors dedicated to enhancing health and fitness.
There will be more vendors & free activities for kids at the Kids’ Run in Carson Park on Saturday, May 2nd and downtown Eau Claire in the Family Fun Zone on Sunday, May 3rd.
Food vendors will also be on-site along with our full assortment of Eau Claire Marathon Merchandise available for purchase both days.
Interested in becoming a vendor during ECM weekend? Contact Joy at joy@eauclairemarathon.com
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Of course! Many of our local partners as well as some national retailers offer great deals when you show your Eau Claire Marathon weekend race bib!
Most offers are valid before, through and after race weekend so use your perks early and enjoy!
Post Race
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Music, Fun, Food and Beer! Come to the Barstow Block Party after the race and use your bib tear off ticket for a FREE beer or water. Food vendors will be available for something to eat, as boy do you deserve it! Gear Pick-up, T-Shirt Swap and Awards will all be located on Eau Claire St & N Barstow St. Barstow Block Party is located on the corner of N Barstow St & the Eau Claire River.
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Stop at the AWARDS TENT right outside of the finish line chute to pick up our extra medal!
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Use your bib ticket for a FREE beer or soda at Reboot Social.
Things To Do
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Eau Claire Farmer's Market - 7:30 am - 1:00 pm
SpringFest with The Hype at Loopy's - 5 pm to 11:30 pm
Chippewa River Trolley Co.: Supper Club Trolley Tour - 5:00 pm
Clear Water Comedy presents: Luke Null at The Plus - 7:00 pm
UWEC Wind Symphony at The Pablo - 7:30 pm
Improvised Game Show at Oh Claire Improv - 7:30 pm
No Brand Con 2026 at The Lismore Hotel - 9 am to 9 pm
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DOWNTOWN - EAU CLAIRE:
The Informalist
The Livery
The Reboot Social
WATER STREET - EAU CLAIRE:
Dooley’s Pub
Mogie’s Pub & Restaurant
Valley Burger Co.
ALTOONA
Cowboy Jack's
44 North Gastro Pub
Helix
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HOTEL OPTIONS
Springhill Suites
Doubletree by Hilton The Lismore Hotel
Oxbow Hotel
Metropolis Resort