Wander Project is back for another year of partnering with Cocodona to provide charity bibs for runners looking to push their physical limits in support of causes close to their heart. This year we have nine runners taking on the 250 mile distance and two taking on the 'short' 125 mile option. These courses cover some of the most iconic trails in Arizona and athletes will be running through the day and night and day and night again. This year's race includes some big names including several of those featured in The Chase, along with the GOAT Courtney Dauwalter. In this post we highlight some of the other faces that will be toeing the start line next week. Each charity bib athlete has an incredible story to tell about their 'why' for taking on this epic adventure. The support of their communities has already powered them through amazing fundraising efforts and it will continue to help them cover the hundreds of miles to Flagstaff. Their inspiring stories are here.
Calvin DuVall
"I chose to run for a charity because I wanted to do something bigger than myself. Running can sometimes feel a little selfish and I knew I would be spending a lot of time training and racing for Cocodona. So I chose to raise money for the Challenged Athletes Foundation because movement is my medicine and when I heard there were athletes unable to compete in sport because of a physical disability it made me want to try to do something about it."
Jil Albrecht
"I graduated with my B.S. in 2022 and my M.S. in 2025 from the University of Arizona. This was made possible by getting sober through the support I received from Wildcats Anonymous, a student led and run organization that helps students struggling with addiction and substance abuse to peer mentors, mental health resources, and sober events. It is important to me to give back to this group so that students may continue to have access to the same life changing support and opportunities that I was given."
Chris Raup
Chris served 20+ years as an U.S. Army Officer, including two combat tours, his last in Ramadi, Iraq. Following his retirement, he founded a non-profit organization providing recreational therapy for wounded warriors and redirected his training and leadership skills to the National Ski Patrol and the Professional Ski Instructors of America. In 2023, he founded the Warrior Trail Foundation, tying his passion for wild places with his mission of inspiring others to explore their
infinite potential. His joined career as a wealth advisor and mindset performance coach provides the opportunity do what he loves most, building relationships and helping his clients live fully today while preparing for the future.
Dana Eisenhour
"This is my furthest distance to date and I thought it would be a great opportunity to make it even more special by running for causes that mean something special to me. We have supported our local pregnancy center for almost 20 years. They do such a wonderful job of coming alongside expecting parents and walking the pregnancy journey with them. We are also a foster/adoptive family; while our foster license is closed it is still important for me to raise awareness for the need of foster families in our state. Fundraising for these ministries has given me something bigger to remember and will keep me going while conquering my longest distance ever!"
Chad Salyer
"I chose to run the Cocodona 250 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation because my 9-year-old, Beckett, has the genetic disorder and there is still no cure! There have been major breakthroughs in last 15 years that have led to treatments that help a lot of the CF population, but it still requires daily treatments and numerous medications just to try and breathe and remain stable. There is still around 10% of people with the disease that don't have a treatment that their genetic mutations respond to at all, so I am running for them and the person who has completely saved and turned my life around - my son, Beckett! Extremely grateful for this opportunity on so many different levels. CURE CF!"
Alexa Hasman
"Two years ago my brother was shot in a drive by shooting on the freeway. It completely changed my family's lives and I never want another family to experience the pain and trauma of a gun related event."
Pete Mehok
"I am raising funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). My oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured chemotherapy. In addition, I have friends and coworkers that have courageously fought or continue to fight this horrible disease. BCRF’s sole mission is to fund breast cancer research, which is critical to improving outcomes and saving lives. This year BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research and metastatic breast cancer research worldwide and they are the highest-rated breast cancer research organization in the country. "
Matt Watts
"I saw the charity bib option as a way to help make an impact on something other than myself with the challenge of Cocodona. The city of Kingman has been a huge blessing to my family over the years, and I couldn't pass up this opportunity to give back. Cornerstone Mission is dedicated to serving the Kingman community by providing basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and so much more. I love the idea of thinking the money that was raised may have at least helped one person get back on their feet and change the trajectory of their life forever. I think the best way for us to make a positive change is by starting with our local community, and I hope to do that with Cornerstone Mission."
Day Anne Cena
"I chose to run for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention because May is Mental Health Awareness month. I have lost a few close to me lose their battle this way. I want to be part of the change in making a difference. Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. Talk saves lives."
Mason Newberry
"The main reason I’m running Cocodona is to test my limits and show what we’re truly capable of—but I think doing something this big requires more than one “why.” Running 250 miles is a privilege. It’s painful and extreme, sure, but it’s also something I get to choose. A lot of people, like Tommy Lanier and those the Shepherd Center serves, don’t have that choice. If I can turn this effort into something bigger than myself by raising money and awareness for a cause that means a lot to my family and my community, then that’s a responsibility I want to carry."
2023 charity bib and 3rd place OA at Cocodona 250 returning to run for the Televerde Foundation.
Michael Greer
Televerde Foundation
"If we could provide even an ounce of support towards a good cause doing what we love, then why wouldn’t we? Running for more than myself brings me a lot of joy and selfishly helps motivate and inspire me throughout training and the race, particularly when things get tough and I feel low. Doing so helps remind me how lucky I am to GET to run and conquer these insane feats! I have chosen to raise awareness, funds, and hope for the Televerde Foundation and the wonderful women they serve. Televerde Foundation serves incarcerated women and helps gives them second chances by providing them with personal development, workplace readiness, professional development, financial literacy, health & wellness, and lifelong learning. Equipping these women with confidence, skills and other tools enables them to break the cycle of poverty and recidivism and become positive role models for their children and families, changing the lives of future generations and building stronger communities. I have had the opportunity to connect with many of these women and serve alongside some of them over the past 2 years and have been so impressed and inspired by the amazing people that they are. Their efforts have led to less than 5% recidivism forever impacting their lives, the lives of their families and their communities. "