April Podcast Guest #1: Bob Gallaher
From the News Desk to the Start Line: Bob Gallaher Takes on His First 5K
One of my favorite parts of hosting Running on Air is getting to hear the stories behind why people choose to run. Every runner has a different journey. Some have been racing for decades. Others are lacing up for the very first time. This episode reminded me that you never know when someone will discover a new challenge that changes their perspective.
This week, Emily and I sat down with someone many people in the Chippewa Valley already know: WEAU news anchor Bob Gallaher. After more than 30 years of telling our community's stories, Bob is about to become part of one himself.
This spring, Bob is taking on his very first race as the Eau Claire Marathon's Charity Chaser, raising money for the UW Carbone Cancer Center. The role is a little different this year. Instead of starting behind the field and trying to catch runners, Bob gets a five-minute head start. Every participant who passes him during the 5K helps generate a donation to cancer research.
It is a fun twist, but the mission behind it is anything but lighthearted.
Bob shared how cancer has touched his own family and why supporting research became personal to him. He also talked about being inspired by Wisconsin men's basketball coach Greg Gard and the work he has done through Guarding Against Cancer. What started as a conversation about giving back quickly turned into Bob agreeing to something he never imagined doing.
Running.
The funny part is that Bob never claimed to be a runner. In fact, he openly admitted he has spent most of his life avoiding it. He grew up playing baseball and football, married into a family full of accomplished runners, and somehow remained the one person who never signed up for a race.
Until now.
Listening to Bob describe his training was a reminder that every runner starts somewhere. His current goal is simple: finish the 5K in under 40 minutes. He celebrated breaking a 15-minute mile during training, talked honestly about sore muscles, stretching, and learning to recover, and asked questions that almost every first-time runner has wondered.
"Am I going to finish last?"
The answer, of course, is no. More importantly, it does not matter.
That conversation led to one of my favorite moments from the episode. So many people hesitate to register because they do not think they are "runner enough." They worry about pace, distance, or whether they belong at the starting line.
Bob's story proves the opposite.
You do not have to identify as a runner to become one. You simply have to take the first step.
We also discovered that Bob has quite the history with unexpected athletic adventures. He shared the unforgettable story of pulling his hamstring while racing a child in a 40-yard dash at the NFL Experience during Super Bowl week. Picture khakis, penny loafers, a determined news anchor, and an injury that made the evening broadcast. It is every bit as entertaining as it sounds.
Beyond the laughs, what stood out most was Bob's appreciation for the Eau Claire community. After covering the marathon for years as a reporter, he has witnessed countless stories of perseverance, remembrance, celebration, and personal triumph. This year, he gets to experience those emotions from inside the race instead of behind the camera.
That is what makes running so special.
Whether you are chasing a personal record, honoring a loved one, supporting a charity, or simply trying something new, every person arrives at the start line with a story worth telling.
If you have been thinking about signing up for your first race, take Bob's advice. Register. Show up. Let the community carry you across the finish line.
And if you see Bob wearing his red No. 13 jersey during the Eau Claire Marathon 5K, be sure to pass him. This might be the only race where helping someone get passed is exactly the goal.
We will be cheering for him every step of the way.
Listen to the full “Running on Air” Episode here: Episode #17: WEAU’s Bob Gallaher and the ‘26 Charity Chaser
