Local Half Marathon and 5k Event Donates $20,000 to Local Charities at Annual Banquet

J-Hawk Aquatic Club Left to Right: Jeffery Knight, Dawson Miller, Russell Walton, Cheri Zimdars, Becky Magestro, Steven Sahyun, Ryan Callahan, Samuel Karns
Whitewater LEADS Left to Right: Jeffery Knight, Dawson Miller, Russell Walton, Larry Kachel, Kristin Linzmeier, Becky Magestro, Steven Sahyun, Ryan Callahan, Samuel Karns

Bethel House Left to Right: Jeffery Knight, Dawson Miller, Russell Walton, Jenna Singer, Becky Magestro, Steven Sahyun, Ryan Callahan
UW-W Foundation of Athletics Left to Right: Jeffery Knight, Dawson Miller, Russell Walton, Jeff Miller, Becky Magestro, Steven Sahyun, Ryan Callahan, Samuel Karns


The Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, 5k, Half Marathon Teams, and Kids Korral held their 13th annual race banquet on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Willow Brook Golf Course. Race sponsors, team leaders, volunteers, and four local charities came together for an evening to celebrate the accomplishments of the 13th Annual DWS race.

During the banquet, the DWS presented $5,000 to each of the four charity partners to total $20,000 distributed. The four charities include: Bethel House, Whitewater LEADS, the J-Hawk Aquatic Club, and UW-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics. In addition, $381 was donated directly from anonymous individuals to the charities of their choosing on the DWS website. Throughout the past thirteen years, the DWS has raised a total of $314,881 for the local charities of Whitewater.

“I loved this year’s event. The coming together and interaction of the runners with the volunteers was incredible. We could not have done it without the strong partnership of the University, the city, the school district, and the business community who made the 13th annual run a huge success. I’d like to thank the sponsors who have made this event a financial success that allows us to invest in these four amazing charities,” said Executive Director, Jeffrey Knight.

“This is now our thirteenth annual banquet. I always look forward to this wonderful night to honor everyone’s accomplishments, I can’t wait for next year’s race,” said Greater Whitewater Committee Chairman, Russ Walton

“It is great to see the results from race day and how everyone’s hard work paid off – each sponsor, volunteer, and community member. It is what makes the DWS such an incredible community event,” said Race Director, Dawson Miller.

The DWS Team would like to thank everyone who came together to make the 13th Annual race an amazing success. The banquet celebrated everyone’s hard work and dedication that was put forth by our incredible sponsors, volunteers, charity partners, and team leaders who make the DWS an event to remember each year.

For further details, please contact Executive Director, Jeffery Knight, at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com.

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to four local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, UW-Whitewater Foundation-Athletics, and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club. The DWS partners with the city, business community, university, and the school district to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit www.runwhitewater.com.

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