FOR THE LOVE OF SNOWSHOEING. The Snowshoe National Championship returns to Eau Claire this February for two days of events.

The 23rd annual Snowshoe National Championship will traverse Lowes Creek County Park in Eau Claire this February, with events for all ages slated for Feb. 10-11, 2024. The United States Snowshoe Association (USSSA) announced recently that the sporting event would be returning to the Chippewa Valley in collaboration with Visit Eau Claire and CORBA.

The nationally recognized sporting event hosts races for just about every age bracket, from the Kids Kilo (ages 10 and under) to middle school, high school, and collegiate level events, to the Super Masters event (ages 65+).

The championship event has been held in Eau Claire twice before (2015, 2022), bringing hundreds of athletes from across the country to our slice of Wisconsin.

Most of the upcoming events’ scheduling has been released:

Friday, Feb. 9:
• 4pm – Course Preview (free): a U.S. Snowshoe Representative will lead a run/walk on part of the course
• 5:30-7:30pm – Athlete Reception: a pizza dinner (cost out of pocket), location TBD

Saturday, Feb. 10:
• 9am – Men’s and Women’s 10K National Championship
• 12pm – 5K Middle School, High School, and Collegiate National Championship
• 1pm – Kids Kilo
• 1:15pm – 5K Power Keg Snowshoe Run/Walk and Super Masters National Championship (pending weather, could be moved to morning slot)
• 6pm – Championship Banquet and Awards, location TBD

Sunday, Feb. 11:
• 9am – Half Marathon National Championship
• 9:15am – 4x2.5K Snowshoe Relay
• 12pm – Closing, Half Marathon Awards

Metropolis Resort and Conference Center (5150 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire) will be the host hotel for the event, blocking off a select number of discounted rooms for travelers.

There is no pre-qualification requirement to participate in the Snowshoe National Championship, though all participants must be USSSA members. Memberships are offered at three levels: Individual Membership ($30/year), Corporate Membership – Snowday ($500/year), and Corporate Membership – Blizzard ($1,000).

To participate in each event, costs range from $10-$40 plus sign-up fees. Prizes will be awarded to the top three overall finishers for most events, as well as by age group.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged at the event. "We are working closely with the Visit Eau Claire team to provide a fun winter festival feel!" USSSA Director, Jackie Hering, said. 

The remainder of the event schedule and other information will be released soon. Visit the USSSA website for additional information.