December Podcast Guest: Karen McDermott
Pickleball, Running, and Community: A Partnership That Goes Beyond the Finish Line
As the year comes to a close, Running on Air celebrates more than running mileage or finish times. Episode 12 highlights something deeper: the power of community partnerships and the shared spirit that connects runners, volunteers, and unexpected allies like the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club.
The episode welcomes Karen McDermott, president of the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club, whose organization has become a valued partner of the Eau Claire Marathon. While pickleball and running may seem unrelated at first glance, their connection becomes clear through shared values of inclusion, service, and community pride.
Karen is a lifelong Eau Claire resident who returned home after several years in the Twin Cities. Her professional background in social work shaped her passion for service, but pickleball gave her a new way to stay active and connected. She first discovered the sport in 2015 after spotting a curious paddle-and-ball game at a YMCA gym. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a lifelong passion that followed her back to Eau Claire.
After rediscovering pickleball locally in 2022, Karen immersed herself in the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club. She joined the board later that year and eventually stepped into the role of president. Under her leadership, the club has grown into a vibrant, welcoming organization that serves players of all ages and skill levels.
Pickleball’s accessibility makes it a powerful connector. High school students, retirees, families, and first-time players often share the same courts. Karen describes mornings when high school seniors practicing pickleball through gym class mix with longtime players, creating playful competition and genuine connection across generations. These moments reflect the club’s mission to foster inclusion and community through sport.
That same spirit carries into the club’s partnership with the Eau Claire Marathon. Long before Karen joined the board, club members volunteered on race weekend thanks to the leadership of Judy and Joe Muir. What began as a small volunteer effort evolved into a major commitment. Today, more than 50 pickleball club members volunteer annually at the marathon, helping at intersections, the finish line, and behind the scenes.
This volunteer partnership benefits everyone involved. The marathon receives energetic, dependable volunteers, while the pickleball club earns funding that supports its programs and facilities. Over time, the club increased its volunteer presence to meet higher participation goals, turning service into a point of pride.
Karen shares how volunteering opened her eyes to the scale and care behind the Eau Claire Marathon. From packing race bags to organizing shirts for thousands of runners, she saw firsthand how much effort goes into creating a meaningful race experience. She also witnessed moments that captured the heart of the event, including a runner battling cancer who crossed the finish line surrounded by friends and fellow runners. That moment reminded her that the marathon is about far more than racing.
The partnership continues to grow. The Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club was selected as a Charity Classic beneficiary for the Eau Claire Marathon, recognizing its impact on the community. Funds raised help support beginner lessons, equipment purchases, court maintenance, and public access to pickleball facilities.
Club members dedicate hundreds of volunteer hours each year. They adopt and maintain local courts, assist with citywide cleanups, install nets and windscreens, and prepare courts for seasonal play. Their work ensures that community members can enjoy free, well-maintained spaces to stay active and connected.
Beyond facilities, the club builds relationships. New players receive guidance without being asked. Visitors passing through town find places to play. Members form friendships that extend beyond the courts into biking groups, golf outings, and everyday life.
As this episode shows, pickleball and running share a common purpose. Both create spaces where people show up for one another, whether at mile markers or net lines. Through partnerships like this one, the Eau Claire Marathon continues to prove that its greatest strength lies not just in races, but in the community that makes them possible.
Listen to the whole December “Running on Air” Episode Here: Running on Air w/ EC Marathon #12 - Pickleball Eau Claire Hometown Media | iHeart
