About cycling & running in Eau ClaireEau Claire Training Notes
Running: Locals run the Chippewa River State Trail because it starts downtown and gives you 30 miles of paved surface along the Chippewa River. You can do a 2-mile out-and-back to Banbury Place and River Prairie. Carson Park, Putnam Park, Owen Park, and Riverview Park keep the park miles fresh. Lowes Creek County Park gives trail runners a nice change of scenery. Blue Ox Running Run Club, Chippewa Valley Trail Runners, Eau Claire Hash House Harriers, Moms On The Run, and Indianhead Track Club keep the scene connected. Eau Claire Marathon is the anchor race, and Festival Foods Turkey Trot Eau Claire keeps November honest.
Cycling: Cyclists get plenty here, from 70+ miles of interconnected paved road bike trails to dirt laps at Lowes Creek County Park and Pinehurst Park. Chippewa River State Trail starts at Phoenix Park and runs 30 miles southwest to Durand, so base miles come easy. The Plum Street loops give you 9 km with 547 m of ascent and stack solid climbing without leaving town. The north side rides hilly, while the east and south bring the steep slopes. UWEC Triathlon Club Team gives multisport riders a group option. Ride Across Wisconsin is the anchor event, with 2026 routes starting and finishing at Phoenix Park.
Season: May and June are the sweet spot because most riders are out, runners are steady, and the river valleys feel ready for longer work. Summer temps can hit 30°C, so locals run early, ride later, and keep hard intervals away from the hottest part of the day. Winter temps can drop to 3°C and stick around for weeks. The Eau Claire Winter Recreation Path gives everyone a 4-mile route that gets plowed with high priority after snow events. Snow pushes some running onto cleared paths, while cyclists shift toward fat tires, singletrack when conditions allow, and patient Z2.
