June 4, 2025
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Royal Credit Union Foundation (RCU Foundation) recently partnered with the Eau Claire Marathon to present the 10K Charity Classic. Each year, the RCU Foundation partners with local charities to raise funds and awareness about the important work these organizations do in local communities. In 2025, the RCU Foundation supported three outdoor recreation organizations. All three benefitted, but votes determined first, second, and third place winners. Runners and walkers got a free vote with registration and additional votes were also purchased to help the charities.
“We were proud to partner with the RCU Foundation for the inaugural ECM 10K Charity Classic,” said Emi Uelmen, Eau Claire Marathon Race Director/Owner. “Girls on the Run, Valley Girls Cycling, and CORBA are outstanding organizations that do meaningful work in our community, and we’re excited to support their continued impact”.
The RCU Foundation and the Eau Claire Marathon recently presented each charity with a “big check”—below are a few highlights.
Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley earned the most votes and were awarded $8,000. Girls on the Run Chippewa Valley is dedicated to making an impact on girls' lives in our community by providing interactive lessons meet the unique needs of participants of all abilities and backgrounds. They enhance participants' social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences and helps girls recognize their potential.
Valley Girls Cycling Club earned the second most votes and were awarded $5,000. The mission of Valley Girls Cycling Club is to advance women's engagement in cycling through education, opportunity and support in the Chippewa Valley.
Community for Outdoor Recreation, Biking, and Adventure (CORBA) was awarded $2,000. CORBA is dedicated to building, improving, and maintaining multi-use trails and promoting trail use throughout Wisconsin’s Chippewa Valley. CORBA works with government land managers and private landowners to provide trails for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, snowshoeing and other silent sport activities.
“The RCU Foundation is proud to partner with the Eau Claire Marathon for the 10K Charity Classic race and provide grants to these vital outdoor recreation organizations” said John Sackett, RCU Foundation President. “Girls on the Run of the Chippewa Valley, Valley Girls Cycling Club, and CORBA make a significant impact on the lives of many in our community."
Join the RCU Foundation and the Eau Claire Marathon for the 2026 10K Charity Classic, on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026. For more information visit www.rcu.org/Race.
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 visitwww.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.
