Wisconsin’s Most Sustainable Marathon
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Race Weekend
At the Eau Claire Marathon, we’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and preserving the beauty of our region. With nearly 5,000 participants and several more spectators, we understand the impact a large event can have on our community and the environment. That’s why we’re stepping up our efforts to reduce waste, conserve energy, and promote green practices. From eco-friendly race materials to waste diversion programs, we’re working closely with sustainability partners to ensure a greener event. We’re also encouraging our runners and spectators to join us in these efforts by offering tips on how you can plan for a more sustainable training season and race day experience. With the help of our participants, volunteers, and community, we’re working toward reducing our environmental footprint and creating an event that everyone can enjoy—while protecting the place we all call home.
Join us in making the Eau Claire Marathon not only a celebration of athletic achievement but also a testament to our collective efforts to care for our planet. Together, we can ensure a sustainable future for the marathon and the region we love.
Sustainable Initiatives
All participants are provided a reusable gear check bag.
We have donated over 100 bags of discarded clothing at start lines to local reuse stores.
Culligan Water uses reusable jugs at water stations instead of disposable gallons of water, saving an estimated 90,000+ bottles at each event.
All participant bib perks are delivered virtually to reduce what is printed for gear bags.
The Participant Guide is exclusively delivered virtually, reducing printed materials.
The marathon relay utilizes a bussing system that transports the 600 yearly participants from one relay to another, reducing vehicles emissions.
Leftover food from the finish line is donated to local food pantries.
Banners, signs, and flags are printed with limited dates and other restricting information so that they may be reused year after year.
Unclaimed finisher medals are recycled to be melted down into medals for future races.
Partners in Sustainability
Culligan Water
Uses reusable water filling jugs.
Water bottle refill station at Expo and start lines
The Sonnentag Center (Expo location)
Goodwill
Official clothing recycler of the ECM. Runners are encouraged to discard unwanted clothing items at the start line and along the race course. These items will be collected and donated to Goodwill.
The Community Table
The ECM donated leftover food to the Community Table and Meadowview School for their Meadowview Mile.
Student Transit
Relay buses help reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change, contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.
Soles4Souls & GotSneakers
Program where we collect and donate new and gently-worn shoes and sneakers race weekend
New Initiatives in 2025
Bike Valet with Bike Chippewa Valley
Organics Composting with Earthbound Environmental
ECM Earth Day Clean-up 2025
How you can help - on race weekend.
Ride the bus!
Take advantage of our free bike valet. It’s perfect for spectators who want to avoid heavy traffic and enjoy a scenic view of Eau Claire!
Participants can discard of their unwanted clothing at the start line(s) and along the racecourse to be collected for Goodwill.
Place your waste in the proper receptacles for trash, compost, or recycling.
How you can help - throughout the year.
Make your running clothes last longer by taking care of them and when you do need to purchase more prioritize items made sustainably.
Donate old running shoes and apparel to Goodwill to be textile recycled.
Commit to not using single-use water bottles during your training and carrying what you can on your long runs
Take up “Plogging” – Picking up litter while jogging!
Choose local races! One of the biggest environmental impacts from major running events is the emissions caused by participant travel.