ECM CHARITY CHASER
Did you know the Eau Claire Marathon chooses who will be the last runner to cross the half marathon start line? Why would anyone WANT to be last?! WHO is last?! Our ECM Charity Chaser! In 2019, we began the Charity Chaser tradition. The Charity Chaser starts last and for every participant they pass, the Eau Claire Marathon donates $1 to the charity of their choosing. It's a great example of how sports events can be used to benefit the community. And it’s really that simple, run fast and earn a bigger donation!
PAST CHARITY CHASERS
2026 Eau Claire Marathon Charity Chaser: Bob Gallaher
We’re switching things up in 2026, and this might be our favorite Charity Chaser twist yet.
Since 2019, the ECM Charity Chaser has traditionally started last, with the Eau Claire Marathon donating $1 for every runner they pass to a charity of their choice. It’s been a powerful (and fun) way to turn miles into meaningful impact. (Now $2 as the ECM donation has been matched!)
Here’s what’s different in 2026
In 2026, Bob Gallaher from WEAU 13 News, will start 5 minutes before the ECM 5K start—and now YOU are the Charity Chasers.
Instead of Bob passing runners, every participant who passes Bob will earn $1 for his chosen charity (UW Carbone Cancer Center), donated by the Eau Claire Marathon.
That means:
Every pace matters - Every pass counts - Every runner plays a role
No fundraising. No slowing down. Just run your race—and give back while you do.
See Bob on the course? Pass him. Change lives.
Bob was passed by 804 participants and with a generous match, we were able to donate $1608.
Introducing the 2025 Eau Claire Marathon Charity Chaser: Brent Wathke!
Why would anyone WANT to be last? Because every person Brent passes in the Half Marathon means more money for charity!
Brent says:
"I’m always excited to train/race, pushing myself mentally and physically, but with an opportunity to raise money for two organizations that do great things for our community, it brings another level of excitement!"
For every runner he overtakes, ECM will donate $1, which Brent is splitting between Power of Perception and Bob’s House of Dogs. A total of $1835 was donated!
So, the faster he runs, the bigger the impact! Let’s cheer him on and help make this the biggest Charity Chaser donation yet!
If you’ve ever fun an ECM event, you’ve most likely crossed paths with father-son duo, Jordan and Jeffrey! In 2019, Jordan & Jeffrey passed 640 runners (451 marathoners & 189 relay teams) raising $11,088. They chose to split their donation between myTeamTriumph and Jeffrey’s service dog fund. Together, we make a difference – thank you for being a part of it. Congrats, Jordan & Jeffrey!
In 2022, Zach Halmstad was our Charity Chaser! Zach is an alumni of EC North High School and UWEC, as an avid runner and triathlete he was up for our challenge to benefit his hometown community. Zach passed 932 participants, giving his ECM donation to the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire. To up the ante, Zach matched the donation and gave an additional $932 to the Eau Claire Area School District. Together, we make a difference – thank you for being a part of it. Congrats, Zach!
ECM Ambassadors, Jonathon and Angela agreed to be our 2024 Charity Chasers, and together, they passed 2,537 people! Jonathon and Angela matched our donation and together, we gave a gift of over $5000 to Make a Wish Wisconsin to help send Ethan to Hawaii! Together, we make a difference – thank you for being a part of it. Congrats, Jonathon & Angela!
What Jonathon had to say about being a Charity Chaser: