Marathon offers charitable challenge to cardio health

photo by Margaret Recker

What better way to get the blood pumping than in a marathon benefitting the whole community? Community First Credit Union, along with Miron Construction, hosted the annual Fox Cities Marathon September 18-20. The event has been supporting community nonprofits and organizations for over 35 years now, having raised $1.3 million dollars over the course of that time. The marathon provides an opportunity for people to have fun and meet fellow community members, all while getting their bodies moving.

Volunteer Amanda Hernandez appreciates the work the community has put into making the event happen, 

“We have over 1000 volunteers that make the marathon happen, and the planning goes on for months and months in advance, almost a year in advance,” she said.

But the marathon isn’t just something to fill a weekend. The event also gives back to those who help run and participate in it. Over the marathon’s 35-year history, the event has raised over a million dollars, money returned to the community. Places they have given to include Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Riverview Gardens, the UW Oshkosh Nursing Program, and other nonprofit organizations. They also sponsor many school cross country teams, including Girls on the Run, the City of Neenah Fun Run Program, and the Appleton Fun Run Program.

Hernandez has seen first-hand the excitement of runners and volunteers alike, and the positive impact that has on the marathon.

“The Fox Cities Marathon is a huge event, so just the community support as well is so important. All of the Fox Cities locals in the area are really passionate about the marathon and are very passionate about seeing the runners,” she said.

Like most huge events in the community, the marathon has a certain way of bringing people together. Marie Miller, who has been running in the marathon since 2015, recognizes this.

“The volunteers do a good job; of course, there’s a lot of great communication and support before the marathon, and there is a lot of people on the course just cheering. It’s really just a great place,” she said. 

Miller also recognizes that the run is a big motivational factor in people’s lives. 

“Four years ago I fractured my femur at mile 7, so I needed to come back to prove to myself that I could do it, and I did,” she said. 

Hard work seems to be a common theme among participants. Runner Esperanza Lara emphasizes it in her training mantra.

 “When it comes to training, just have fun, trust the process, and work hard,” she said. 

While for some people running can just be a calming way to spend the day, others find fun differently; in competition. For the basic marathon, there are three divisions to compete for an award. First, there is the Overall Marathon, which is based on run time. Then there are the Masters Awards, which are for the top three male/female runners who are 40 years of age or older. Finally, there are the Age Division Awards, given to the top three male or female winners in each age division. The age divisions include 19 & Under and the Masters Division (40+). 

Other than the marathon, community members can also participate in a half-marathon, 5K, 10K, kids events, and expo. 

“It's so worth it to get the feeling at the end and to get the fitness that you get from running,” Miller said. “It’s kind of like euphoria, and it’s satisfaction and pride.”

by Aili Pfluger and Madeline Horton

Published October 5, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 123 Issue 1