2025 - 2026 EAU CLAIRE MARATHON AMBASSADORS
MEET AMBER
Amber began her running adventure in 2023, quickly developing a love for 5K races and the satisfaction of conquering half marathons. She runs to support her mental health and to be a positive role model for her girls, embodying her belief that all runners are valuable, no matter their pace. Amber bravely completed her first half marathon at the Eau Claire Marathon in 2024, pushing through every challenge to cross the finish line.
Instagram: @Amber0strike
MEET JESSICA
I began running in 2004, running my first 5k, and have since run countless 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, as well as 4 marathons. My first four marathons were run with Team World Vision, but this year I decided to join a team even closer to my heart, Team AFSP, to help see a day when no one has to go through the pain I did of losing a loved one to suicide.
I am a teacher, athletic trainer, and soccer coach. When I'm not working or running, you can find me playing soccer! I also love to knit, read and scrapbook.
Instagram: @jessicadeforrest
MEET AMY
Amy Lippert Hoffmann has been running since 2014, but started running marathons when she joined Team World Vision in 2016. She loves the running community, especially hosting group runs or enjoying the race day atmosphere. Her only goals for running are having fun and raising money for charity!
Instagram: @amyzing007
MEET JESSICA
An off handed comment of "I might become a runner" ten years ago to a friend lead to "I promise I won't be a crazy runner" to her husband to "I could never run a marathon" to running at least six! Jess is a woman of hobbies and loves to try new things but her favorites are: hiking, leading yoga and barre classes, reading, cooking and blogging about it, and spending time in her garden!
Instagram: @jess.dreams.big
MEET ANN
Ann is from Minnetonka, MN. She is a working Mom of 2 and proud UWEC alum who started running in 2020. She is an active member with her local Moms on the Run group. Since lacing up her shoes she has completed many races, including ECM Half Marathon in 2023 & 2024. She believes that runners come in ALL shapes and sizes!
Instagram: @RunningMiles_WithAnn
MEET THE JOHNSTON FAMILY
The Johnston’s are back as the OG family ambassadors—this time with a 4th child. Miss JoJo joins this crazy running crew and is excited to keep up with her older brothers & sister (Klayton, Finley, & Chase) who keep themselves in shape for all things youth sports by running the ECM events. Jenny has been on a mission to run 2,025 miles in 2025, and DJ is involved in all things Chippewa Valley, including a role on the marathon planning committee.
Instagram: @johnston_dj & @miles_of_momming
MEET ANTHONY
I'm a loyal Blue Ox Running HERD member, rarely missing a weekly group run. Chasing a BQ time fast enough to be able to run Boston. Love both road and trail running. I like to run for my physical and mental health. I also love the social aspect of running with friends and group runs.
Instagram: anthony.myers.3720
MEET JOSH
Josh is a UWEC alum, marathoner, and always excited to talk about running. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and their two rescue dogs (who frequently join them on runs!). He’s chasing a 50-state half marathon goal and—when not running—is a competitive puzzler. He brings energy, curiosity, and a deep love of the sport to every start line.
Instagram: @joshjjjustin
MEET ASHLEY
My running journey has had so many phases: I ran my first marathon at Eau Claire in 2013 but I didn’t consider myself a runner until I started taking my running journey seriously until 2017. Then, my running journey completely shifted after my autism spectrum disorder diagnosis in 2020, and once again in 2025 after being diagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Being a runner with multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses has not been an easy journey. There have been many days in the last year where I’ve been lucky to have the energy to get myself out of bed. But, something in life you really want and you believe is worth having is worth putting in the effort to fight for. So for me, my goals for this training cycle is to show up every day, to put in the work to be at the start in the best physical, mental, and emotional shape I can be in, and to use my favorite sport as well as giving back to the community I love be the healthiest version of myself.
Instagram: @ashleylunaandnovi
MEET ASHLEY
Ashley—a mom, assistant principal, and passionate runner who’s always up for a challenge. She recently completed a marathon every month for 13 months, ran 40 miles on her 40th birthday, and is now gearing up for her 27th marathon at Eau Claire!
Instagram: @ashlarson303
MEET BOBBY
Bobby started a new health journey in 2023, just started running in Jan of 2025 and completed the ECM half in April! She is a business owner who lives in Mondovi with her husband, Scott and Labradoodle Harry. She has two grown children, Ryan and Carisa, who along with their significant others, Joe and Aaron, all live in Arizona. She also enjoys playing pickleball and all things outdoors! Bobby is passionate about her newfound running community and looks forward to sharing more new things to come with you!
Instagram: @bobbylubinsky
MEET BRIAN
I am from Kasson, MN and started running in 2013. I have run everything from beer miles to ultramarathons. I am very passionate about supporting Girls on the Run and have been a volunteer coach with GOTR Minnesota since 2019!
Instagram: @behunn
MEET CALEB
Caleb started running back in 2009 and has ran ever since to this day. He has participated in the ECM weekend for 7 years straight while completing 5 full marathons, 3 half marathons, 10 triathlons, and 2 Ragnars. Caleb has worked as a fitness/nutrtion coach and stretch practitioner for the past three years of his career and has now moved back to town in Eau Claire to pursue his Master's degree in Exercise Physiology!
Instagram: @caleb.kolell
MEET CLAIRE
Claire from Eau Claire has ran every race distance that the EC Marathon offers, 5k through Marathon. She is the host of the Northside Night (run) Club in Eau Claire, dog mom to two of the goodest boys, and going for her masters while working as a financial planner. Her goal this year is to set another personal best in the half marathon distance! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Instagram: @claire_scampers
MEET EARL
Earl started running on a treadmill daily in 2010 to lose weight, and became an everyday outdoor runner in 2012, running the TC Ultraloony Challenge as his first marathon experience the following year, and has been running yearly since. With the exception of 25 days at end of 2022, he’s run daily since 2010. He now runs over 20 miles daily to combat the symptoms of a severe mental illness, and to bring awareness to mental health benefits of running. He is a father of a recent UMD graduate and often runs with their 2 Australian Shepards.
Instagram: @Midwesternroadrunner
MEET GREG
Long time runner ever since sixth grade when Cross Country was the only sport offered. Running has been a life long passion connecting with different people across many communities. I love to get out with the family whether it’s for a walk around the neighborhood, hiking in the UP, or going for a PR in a 5K. If there’s a running related event in or around Eau Claire you can usually catch me and the family at the start line, Blue Ox Group Runs are my mainstay every Thursday! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Instagram: @kidscatsand5ks
MEET JAMIE
Jamie works as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist along with running her nonprofit Heroes 4 Kidz. She is currently training a Therapy Dog named Tucker. 2026 will be her 4th event with the ECM. Currently she’s looking to complete a Half Marathon in every state. Jamie did loose a few years of running with an injury and continues to run even after being diagnosed with an Autoimmune condition. She loves running because it’s something you can do to really compete with yourself and not compare yourself to others..
Instagram: @jamienicoleme
MEET JAMIE
I am a Physical Therapist Assistant, Massage Therapist, and Personal Trainer. I work on the Bois Forte reservation in Northern Minnesota with an amazing community of people. I have been running most of my adult life. I like to often like to say that I am now the high school athlete I never was back then. My goals in running are to always strive for my best, but to enjoy the process along the way. I believe that running plays a very important role in my mental health and my hope is to introduce that to the people in my life and the community I work in. Plus you get to meet some pretty amazing people!
Instagram: @Jamie’s.journey.in.life
MEET SARAH
My name is Julia, and I currently live in Wauwatosa WI where I work in the school age programs for the YMCA. I started running track in the spring of my junior year of high school (2014) as a way to stay in shape during my off season from swimming. I ran my first half marathon fall of my freshman year of college (2015) and fell in love with distance running. I took the distance running class my freshman year of college and was a teaching assistant for it the other four years I was at Eau Claire. I came back to run in 2021, 2023, and 2025. I love coming back to Eau Claire for race weekend to see the city and reconnect with friends and community members I met through the running community when I was in college. This year my goal is to do the Geau Bigger Challenge. I hope to eventually run a 100 mile race.
Instagram: @juliaheiderscheit
MEET JULIE
I’m a mom of 2 kids and a nurse. I started running 7 years ago as way to help manage my stress and haven’t looked back. I have ran 5 full marathons, including Eau Claire twice. 2026 will be really special as my daughter plans to train and run her first half marathon with me in Eau Claire.
Instagram: @Moldyj
MEET KATHLEEN
Growing up with active parents, running was just something that was always a part of our household. I ran for UW-Stout in college, even becoming an All-American in 2015. Since graduating I have continued to run, especially as a member of the Blue Ox group. I also have coached cross country and track and field teams. This past year I was a part of My Team Triumph marathon relay, and it just furthered my appreciation for the what the marathon is for the city. My goals for the Eau Claire Marathon are to use it for my 2026 Ironman training. Long time fan, first time ECM participant!!
Instagram: @mscoachthorn
MEET KELLY
I’m a mom of two, and I work in law enforcement. I’ve been running since high school, but 13.1 is my favorite. I’ve run ECM events for 12 years, and love coming back to my college town. If I’m not running, or with my kids, I’m usually found with friends and family.
Instagram: @In.my.running.era
MEET LAURA
Laura is a marathon runner and mom of three. Surrounded by little feet and big energy every day, she runs not just to keep up—but to stay strong, present, and joyful for the kids who count on her. She’s committed to running two marathons each year as a way to model perseverance and self-care.
Instagram: @delestry.johnson
MEET MAGGIE
I started running in October 2024 after doing a Halloween 5K with some friends. I grew up playing hockey and softball, so running was more of a punishment than a passion. Since then, I completed five more 5k's and, on a whim, I signed up for the Eau Claire Marathon and finished it with the support and accountability from my dad, who’s done countless marathons and Ironman's. I’m heading into my third year at UW-Eau Claire and excited to show how fun and rewarding running can be!
Instagram: @_maggiebarrett
MEET MOLLY
I currently live in Madison WI but my running journey started in 2015 during the end of my freshman year at UWEC. The ECM half was my first race and I have come back almost every year since then to participate in one of the distances. I currently run with and am a board member of Movin Shoes Running Club where our goal is to make running accessible to everyone. Outside of running I love to swim, cross stitch, and show off my corgi Poppy
Instagram: @marathonermolly
MEET NICOLAS
When I was younger I strongly disliked running of any kind. It was always the punishment when competing in other sports. All that changed with the bucket list goal of running a marathon 10 years ago! Since then I was hooked and eventually added triathlon into the mix! In 2024 I finished my goal of completing all 6 world majors and will be taking on the 7th in Sydney in 2025! And currently chasing down the goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states!
Instagram: @nicolas_runstheworld
MEET SARAH
Sarah is from Neenah, WI—a mom of 3, wife of a firefighter, and a director in healthcare technology. She understands the dedication and balance it takes to manage a full career, raise a family, coach runners through The Pinnacle Running Club, and chase her own racing goals. A Boston Marathoner, Sarah has completed 4 of the 7 World Marathon Majors and will take on Berlin and a repeat of Chicago this fall, with London and Sydney still ahead. She’s thrilled to be back as a Legacy Ambassador for the EC Marathon—her favorite Wisconsin race—where she loves the town’s energy, support, and incredible race weekend vibes.
Instagram: @Pinnacle Running Club
MEET TREY
Trey is an Ultra Marathon Runner who enjoys long runs. Also a Member of Black Men Run Twin Cities, Trey believes that running is for everybody no matter your pace, shape, or color. While you will likely find Trey running the trails of Lebanon Hill Regional Park in Minnesota, Trey also likes to run many different races long or short!
Instagram: @afro.runner
Interested in becoming an ecm ambassador?
The Eau Claire Marathon Ambassador positions cover one whole race season from June through May. We open applications in early summer for the season ahead so keep an eye on our newsletters & social media channels for the application window announcement!