2026 CHARITY CLASSIC BENEFICIARIES ANNOUNCED

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Eau Claire Marathon announces three area nonprofit organizations will benefit from the Charity Classic 10K presented by Royal Credit Union. The Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club, the L.E. Phillips Senior Center, and the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley, were selected by the Eau Claire Marathon and the Royal Credit Union Foundation to be the beneficiaries of the 10K Charity Classic race held on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The Royal Credit Union Foundation has pledged $15,000 to the organizations and the amount awarded to each nonprofit is voted on by race registrants.

“Community support has always been at the heart of the Eau Claire Marathon,” said Emi Uelmen, Race Director and Owner of the Eau Claire Marathon. “Over the years, our event has contributed more than $600,000 directly to local organizations, and we've helped raise an additional $500,000 by creating fundraising opportunities for charitable groups. We're thrilled to grow that impact even further through our partnership with Royal Credit Union and the RCU Foundation."

Every 10K registration will include a free charity vote and additional votes can be purchased for $2 each on the race registration website. The charity with the most votes will receive $8,000, second place will receive $5,000, and third will receive $2,000. In addition, charities will be able to earn additional funds through organizing volunteers to work during marathon weekend. Runners who have already registered for the 10K Charity Classic will be contacted with instructions on how to place their vote.

“Royal Credit Union Foundation is honored to support the Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club, L.E. Phillips Senior Center, and YMCA of the Chippewa Valley. These organizations are dedicated to promoting healthy, active lifestyles, and fostering a sense of community,” said John Sackett, RCU Foundation President. “We look forward to continuing our work to raise awareness and funds for local organizations at the 10K Charity Classic through our partnership with the Eau Claire Marathon.”

The Chippewa Valley Pickleball Club is committed to promoting the game of pickleball and its numerous benefits. By providing inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environments for players of all ages and skill levels, the club fosters a sense of community and encourages healthy, active lifestyles.

L.E. Phillips Senior Center is dedicated to being the leader in active living programming for our community's older adults. The center continually strengthens and expands its programs and services, promoting healthy lifestyles that address the social, emotional, and physical needs of its members.

The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley is focused on building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. With a mission to foster a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, the YMCA emphasizes the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. The association's programs are designed to support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, making a lasting impact on the community.

The 2026 Eau Claire Marathon Charity Classic 10K presented by Royal Credit Union is now open for registration and more information can be found at  www.eauclairemarathon.com.

About Eau Claire Marathon
The Eau Claire Marathon presented by Royal Credit Union features a marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K Charity Classic, 5K, and kid’s obstacle run. The event attracts 5,000 participants and over 1,000 volunteers and was voted Wisconsin’s #1 half marathon (2024) and #1 full marathon (2023) by RaceRaves. The Eau Claire Marathon has given back $550,000 to over 175 Chippewa Valley organizations and generates an estimated $5.3 million impact on the local economy. For more information, please visit www.eauclairemarathon.com or contact  info@eauclairemarathon.com.

About Royal Credit Union

Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 300,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.

About RCU Foundation

The RCU Foundation (Foundation) was established in 2012 to support organizations and initiatives in communities where Royal Credit Union operates in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.  The Foundation focuses on large-scale, capital projects that help build community and create the spaces where people come together. Focus areas include education, health, and the arts. Currently, it has awarded more than $10 million in grants. Contact foundation@rcu.org for more information.