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La Crosse Marathon

La Crosse, WI
Saturday, May 4, 2024

  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Description

The La Crosse Marathon course winds along the scenic and remote River trails that embody the driftless region. Running from Sparta to La Crosse, passing through classic rural Wisconsin towns, and finishing at the beautiful Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse.



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Pace Band  |   Race Details  |   Rankings  |   Course Elevation Chart  |   Race Hotels  |   Time Converter  |   Reviews

Marathon Pace Bands

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Race Information

Race Dates

2025: TBD
2024: Saturday, May 4, 2024


Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No


Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 58°F (14°C)
Average High: 69°F (20°C)
Average Low: 47° F (8°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.77
Course Score: 99.77


Race Size

2024: 190 Finishers
2023: 135 Finishers
2022: 138 Finishers
2021: No Results
2020: No Results
2019: No Results


BQ Percentages

2024: 15.3%
2023: 13.3%
2022: 12.3%
2021: N/A
2020: N/A
2019: N/A

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No


Weather Averages for Last 3 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 66°F  (19°C)
Low: 48°F  (9°C)

Race Start Conditions

50°F  (10°C)
Humidity: 85%

Clear
N 5 mph

PR Score

148.79

Course Score

99.77





How does the La Crosse Marathon Rank?


The La Crosse Marathon was the 294th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 269th largest in 2022.

This year 15.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 13.3% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.

This gives the La Crosse Marathon the 122nd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 83rd highest percentage so far in 2024.


Its Course Score of 99.77 ranks it as the 53rd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest course in Wisconsin.

The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the La Crosse Marathon a PR Score of 99.77. This PR Score ranks it as the 42nd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Wisconsin.

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.


La Crosse Marathon Elevation Chart

Max Elevation: 803 feet (244m)
Min Elevation: 631 feet (192m)

Elevation Gain: 290 feet (88m)
Elevation Loss: 433 feet (132m)


La
Course updated 05/20/2024



Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the
La Crosse Marathon

View available accomodations around the La Crosse Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.


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How Fast Can You Go?


If you ran the La Crosse Marathon in 3:09:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your race times would compare on other marathon courses with our time conversion tool.




Recent La Crosse Marathon Reviews

5 Stars from 2 Reviews
View all Reviews





JK's review of 2022 La Crosse Marathon.   

5 / 5 Stars

Review

I enjoyed running on the trail but if you're one who needs cheering this may not be for you. It is packed dirt/limestone until about mile 21 so be prepared (this site said paved). There were aid stations every 2 miles or so which was nice. This was one of the easiest courses I have run in 12 marathons.


Race Tips

Loved the 6am start to beat the heat. You can drive to the start but not much parking and no way to get back (hubby dropped me off). There isn't much shade so wear sunscreen. Also I'm glad I was wearing shades because between miles 18-21 there were swarms of gnats because the trail is near water. Sounds awful but wasn't that bad! The downhill looks steep on the elevation map but it was a very slight grade and didn't wreck my quads. There are 2 bridges at the end but no bad hills anywhere.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

There are several hotels in a short walk to the finish and it was a nice downtown area to stay in. The after party was in a park on the MS river. We flew into and out of Minneapolis and drove to La Crosse which saved a ton on airfare.


KLB's review of 2022 La Crosse Marathon.   

5 / 5 Stars

Review

For a very small race (~200 participants) the logistics are well handled. Beautiful run along a railroad-turned-bike-path, though there's a nasty mile along the edge of a highway near mile 23 which is soul-crushing after the beauty of the prior miles.


Race Tips

Wear a bandana! There were several spots along the race where I was chocking on gnats that bred in nearby wetlands. Would have given anything for a bandana or face mask to filter them out.


Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Get an hour's extra sleep by getting a motel in Sparta.