About Warhawk Marathon Club
The Warhawk Marathon Club is a student-run organization for UW–Whitewater students who want to take their running to the next level. We bring together students who are interested in training for half and full marathons and who want the structure, motivation, and support that comes from training as a team.
Whether you’re thinking about your first marathon or trying to improve your time, this club is about showing up, putting in the work, and supporting each other along the way.
Our Mission
Our goal is simple: to build a community of UW–Whitewater students who are committed to long-distance running and personal growth.
Marathon training isn’t just about race day — it’s about discipline, consistency, and learning how to push through challenges. The Warhawk Marathon Club exists to help students train smarter, stay motivated, and work toward big goals together. We also believe in representing UW–Whitewater with pride at races and using running as a way to give back through service and charity events.
This is more than just running miles — it’s about building confidence, resilience, and a strong team culture.
How the Club Started
The Warhawk Marathon Club was started by UW–Whitewater student Cristian Abdala after training for and completing multiple full marathons. Through that experience, it became clear how much easier — and more enjoyable — marathon training is when you’re not doing it alone.
While there are great opportunities to run on campus, there wasn’t a club specifically focused on students training for half and full marathons. This club was created to fill that gap by offering structured training, accountability, and a supportive environment for students who want to challenge themselves.
The vision is to create a place where motivated students can train together, stay consistent, and represent UW–Whitewater at races across Wisconsin and beyond.
What Makes Us Different
The Warhawk Marathon Club isn’t a casual run-around campus club — it’s designed for students who want to train with purpose.
Here’s what makes us different:
- We focus specifically on half and full marathon training
- Runs are planned and structured, not random
- Mileage builds gradually throughout the semester
- The club is open to all experience levels — no pace requirements
- We emphasize consistency, injury prevention, and smart training
- You train as part of a team working toward similar goals
You don’t need to be an elite runner to join. If you’re willing to commit and put in the work, you’ll fit right in.
Leadership & Organization
The Warhawk Marathon Club is a recognized student organization at UW–Whitewater and is fully student-led.
The club is run by an Executive Board that includes:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
Club leadership works closely with a university advisor, Nate Tranel, to make sure the organization runs smoothly, stays organized, and continues to grow. Leadership opportunities are available to members who want to take on a bigger role and help shape the future of the club.
Who Can Join
Any currently enrolled UW–Whitewater student is welcome to join — no matter your major, year, or running background.
This club is a good fit if you:
- Want to train for a half or full marathon
- Like having structure and accountability
- Enjoy working toward long-term goals
- Want to be part of a motivated, supportive group
No experience is required — just commitment and a positive mindset.