ECO ECM

Running Toward a more Sustainable Future

The Eau Claire Marathon is committed to protecting the rivers, parks, trails, and neighborhoods that make our race special. Through innovative partnerships, waste reduction, community giving, and environmentally conscious race operations, we're working to become Wisconsin's most sustainable marathon—one mile at a time.

Proud Inaugural Member of Racing for Sustainability

ECM’S Sustainability Initiatives

Waste Reduction

  • reusable gear bags

  • composting banana peels

  • digital participant guide and bib perks

  • food donation

  • donate discarded clothing

  • shoe collection for reuse and recycling

  • banners, signs, flags printed with limited dates for reuse

  • medal recycling

Water Conservation

  • reusable water jugs: 90,000+ single-use bottles eliminated

  • refill stations on-course and at expo/start lines

  • Speedcups available for purchase ($3) ECM ECO expo booth

Transportation

  • relay buses

ECM’s Partners in Sustainability

Culligan Water - Hydrapak - The Sonnentag Center - Goodwill -The Community Table - Student Transit Soles4Souls - GotSneakers - EarthBound - Jonah Environmental Task Force

How YOU can help - on race weekend

  • ride the relay bus, carpool to the start line

  • discard of unwanted clothing at the start line(s) and along the racecourse

  • place your waste in the proper receptacles for trash, compost, or recycling

  • donate your old shoes at the ECM ECO expo booth

How YOU can help - throughout the year

  • make your running clothes last longer by taking care of them and when you need to purchase prioritize items made sustainably

  • donate old running shoes and apparel to Goodwill to be textile recycled

  • reusable water bottles

  • recycle and compost at home

  • take up “Plogging” – pick up litter while you jog

  • choose local races - one of the largest environmental impacts from major running events is the emissions caused by travel

  • join our ECM Plogging Party as we clean up the last 6 miles of our course

    • date/time: TBD

    • where: Relay Transition #3 - Western Ave / Air Communication building

    • dress for the weather, bring water and we will have gloves/bags