Rice Lake couple's Eau Claire Marathon run raises funds for Make-A-Wish

Every step along the way was driven by desire to help someone else. That's what pushed Jonathon and Angela Delf of Rice Lake in the half marathon at the Eau Claire Marathon on Sunday.

The Delfs were the Last Couple Standing for the Eau Claire Marathon as they were the last runners to begin in half marathon race, and for every runner who they passed along the way meant another $1 donation by the Eau Claire Marathon to a local charity.

Angela said it was an emotional last mile of the race pushing past the temporary pain because she was running for someone other than herself.

"This is not the time to slow down and let your emotions take over," she told herself. "This is the time to keep going. Literally every step makes a difference because every person we pass is getting a child from Make-A-Wish that much closer to getting his wish granted."

This year's donation was for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin and Delfs were partnered with 15-year-old Ethan from Menomonie who is living with leukemia. Ethan's Make-A-Wish is a trip to Hawaii. The Delfs also personally agreed to match the Eau Claire Marathon's donation. Those interested in also helping grant Ethan's wish can visit tinyurl.com/yc8zm4zr.

Active runners who volunteer their time to a number of groups and organizations, the Delfs were looking for a new opportunity to share their passion for running that also merged it with a good cause. Both Angela and Jonathon had independently reached out to the Eau Claire Marathon about being the Marathon's Last Man Standing, and with both interested this year's fundraiser became the Last Couple Standing.

"I think we’ve been looking for something different to do, a new kind of challenge instead of the challenge of time or farther distance," Angela said.

Jonathon went on to pass 1,622 runners as he finished 65th in the half marathon race. Angela added another 915 people who she passed for a total of 2,537 runners, and with the Delfs personal donation more than $5,000 was donated to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

"We do try to give back to the community in a lot of ways, and both of us volunteer a lot to different groups," Angela said. "This is way to share our passion for running for good. That was really our motivator."