Running News Daily

2021 Eau Claire Marathon to be held in-person

As you know, the Eau Claire Marathon went virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic. This year, however, that will change.

"We will be racing together, in-person, in 2021," said Emi Uelmen, race director.

However, there's a catch. The event will not be held on the traditional first weekend of May. Instead, the event will be held on the last weekend of September (25 and 26).

That doesn't mean nothing is happening on that first weekend of May. The Eau Claire Marathon will host a new COVID-friendly racing series called Bridge2Bridge. This will include three races.

Saturday, May 1st, 4:00 PM – 1-mile race 

Saturday, May 1st evening – 5-mile race

Sunday, May 2nd morning – 10-mile race

(01/13/2021) Views: 1,184 ⚡AMP
by Shannon Hoyt

The 2020 Eau Claire Marathon will be run completely virtual due to COVID-19

The Eau Claire Marathon will be different this year, with the race going completely virtual due to COVID-19.

Those already registered who choose to sit this one out, will not be issued a refund.

Race organizers say like many other races, the Eau Claire Marathon has a strict "no refund" policy.

This is due to many of the expenses, such as medals, awards, permits and donations having to be paid out months ahead of the race.

They are offering a $21 credit for next year's marathon for those who don't want to run it virtually, and say they have been trying to figure out how to give runners options.

"We wanted to do offer something," said race director Emi Uelmen. "So, you can either run with us virtually, you could transfer it to somebody else. We did a partial credit toward next year. Or if somebody can't run, doesn't want to run, and wants to just give it as a donation we'll give it to one of those charity groups."

However, some runners feel if the race isn't happening in-person, they should have the option of getting their money back.

"What they're selling is the experience, not just running outside. That's free all the time," said Jillian Erickson, an Eau Claire native and long-standing marathon participate. "Those who chose to forgo the marathon this year should be reimbursed."

One other downside to a virtual race - Uelmen said that this year's virtual race will not be a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

(07/16/2020) Views: 1,365 ⚡AMP
by Rebecca Fiala

David Luy goal is to run sub 2:20 this weekend in Eau Claire and qualify for the Olympic Trials

When the Eau Claire Marathon begins on Sunday, May 6, in Eau Claire Wisconsin, runners from 27 states, plus Canada and Malaysia, will be at the starting line. One runner to watch is David Luy but be sure to get there early. David Luy, 26, of Brookfield, Wisconsin is the defending two-time Eau Claire Marathon winner, having beat the field last year with a 2:25:57 finishing time — 23 minutes ahead of the next runner. He has an ambitious goal this year — to trim six minutes off that time and finish below 2:19:00 so he can qualify to compete at the Olympic Trials.  Avid runner Michael Olson said he’s thrilled that Luy is trying to reach this milestone at the Eau Claire Marathon. He said the city is perfectly placed for holding a marathon in early spring. “I think Eau Claire is getting noticed,” Olson said. “If we have someone hit the Olympic standard, that just boosts our race that much more.” To finish in under 2:19:00, Luy will need to run about a 5:18 pace per mile for 26.2 miles. Luy said he has been running all his life and ran at Brookfield East High School but wasn’t in the upper tier. He didn’t run for the UW-Madison team while attending school there. However, he continued to run and got faster. “I’d run the campus and go further and further,” Luy said. He decided to compete in the Chicago Marathon in 2012. “It was such a surreal experience, it just jump-started my passion for the sport,” he said. (05/02/2018) Views: 3,860 ⚡AMP