Ronald McDonald House Charities to serve as the presenting partner of the Eugene Marathon’s Run for a Reason program

Team RMHC participants at the start line of the 2023 Eugene Marathon.

Eugene, OR — The Eugene Marathon is proud to announce that it has entered into a new presenting partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & Southwest Washington. Starting at the 2026 Eugene Marathon, RMHC will serve as the presenting partner of the Eugene Marathon’s Run for a Reason charity fundraising program.

“We are thrilled to announce that Team RMHC will be the very first presenting partner of our Run for a Reason program,” Director of Community Programs Larecea Smith said. “Our ultimate goal at the Eugene Marathon is to provide a platform for local and national charities to utilize our event as a fundraising tool while also encouraging and promoting health and wellness in our community. Team RMHC shares that same goal and it is our hope that in the coming years this partnership will have a positive impact on the Run for a Reason program, Team RMHC, and all the local charity teams who participate each year.”

The 2026 Eugene Marathon race weekend will consist of the Marathon and Half Marathon races on Sunday, April 26 and the Eugene 5K and Kid’s Duck Dash presented by OCCU on Saturday, April 25. All races will finish on the track inside Hayward Field at the University of Oregon.

“I’m thrilled to deepen our partnership with the Eugene Marathon, an organization that truly cares about supporting our community,” Jess Ubel, Development Director at the Springfield Ronald McDonald House remarked, “They provide nonprofits with a powerful fundraising platform through a world-class marathon centered around our beloved and iconic Hayward Field, attracting runners from near and far. Inspired by the successful Team RMHC model at the Chicago Marathon, we believe this partnership will have tremendous impact — benefiting the marathon, the families served by the Ronald McDonald House, and other outstanding nonprofit organizations.”

In 2025, the Run for a Reason program raised just over $284,000 for local and national charities. Team RMHC, which has participated in the program since 2019, has raised over $340,000 since it began utilizing the Eugene Marathon as a charity-fundraising platform five years ago. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington provides access to medical care, a home away from home, and a community of support for seriously ill or injured children and their families.