Charity running

In recent years there has been a huge increase in the quantity of people who have taken up running, and this has been reflected in the growing numbers of runners choosing to take part in racing events on behalf of charities.

So, is charity running simply a case of raising certain amount of money and that's all? Well, no - thankfully this isn't the case. People opt to run for a certain charity over another for a variety of reasons and it's essential that charities stay competitive by giving increasing amounts of support to their runners year on year. This has consequently given those people taking part a great amount of choice as charities offer widely contrasting support packages.

Not only do you as a runner have a choice of which charity you run for, you have a large range of choices where you can run and over which distance you eventually decide to run as well. And it's this choice that will make the whole charity running game a confusing issue for you as a charity running newcomer.

Make sure you don't become overwhelmed by the prospect - after all, charity running is possibly one of the most satisfying experiences you will have in life and crossing the finish line will be certainly  something you never forget. The feel good factor of completing a personal aim while running for a great cause will be felt by any runner who does it.

Your running options
Whether you choose to begin with a race like a 3k, 5k, 10k, a half marathon or even dive straight into doing a full marathon as your first run for charity challenge, there's no question that running for a charity can provide you with the additional motivation needed to finish the race.

For a lot of women, their first experience of running for charity will come from an event such as the adidas Women's 5K Challenge event where they can run, jog or even simply walk the course. Such races help to increase enthusiasm and provide runners a target to aim for in terms of a race to be training for and a reachable goal, in addition to raising funds to support the work of Breakthrough.

If running a longer distance is your aim, competing in a race such as a
marathon or half marathon may be the thing to do. Also, when the choices include taking part in a running event overseas it may become an even more appealing proposition. The number of countries and cities that charities send runners to is expanding year on year.

Why opt for charity running?
If you've chosen to run in an event then why not go one step further and raise funds for charity while you do it? While you might enjoy a running event in itself, you can also get a fantastic sense of success and achievement from fundraising too.

In recent years there has been a massive increase in numbers of charity runners, and many charities rely on the fundraising this generates to produce a decent chunk of their income. Whether you choose to get your place in the event directly through the charity or you manage to get your own place and then opt to run for the benefit of your chosen charity, it will all add to the fundraising effort.

Fundraising for charity via running
Places in the largest, most popular marathon events will obviously be a cost to the charity, and it's in their best interests to maximise their revenue for every place they manage to secure. So it's unfair to promise you will run for  charity if you actually have no intention of raising the necessary amount of money.

For certain races, if a charity gives you an entry, you might be expected to raise up to £2,000 in funds. While this is a huge task, it's certainly possible. Many runners have garnered the required funds and had fun while doing it.

Some people feel discouraged by the amount of money that needs to be raised, but they shouldn't be. Starting early and making sure you have asked family and friends for support can take the anxiety out of fundraising, leaving you able to focus on your training.

If you manage to get your own place in a race, you can choose to run for a charity and you won't need to raise a minimum amount of money. Any money you raise will be an additional bonus for the charity.

Motivation for running
For the majority of runners, running in support or in memory of a friend or family member, or as a result of their own personal experience is their primary running motivation. And there aren't many better reasons to commit to getting fitter for your running event.

As a charity is relying on you there will be a lower chance of you slacking off on your training and a much greater chance of you getting to the start line and finishing the race too.

Support from your charity
Whether it's a 3k run or a marathon it's essential that your selected charity provides as much useful support and advice as they can, to make sure you really feel part of your chosen charity's team.

Training for a race, particularly a marathon, will require a massive amount of dedication and the charity is likely to be there to help you stay on track through a range of support, from providing full training advice and targeting the press to supplying sponsorship forms and fundraising packs. At the actual race they might even put on a pre-race pasta party and supply you with a post-race massage, so that you get the most out of your marathon.

Runners are usually sent exclusive team clothing and/or gear and are supported around the race course by the charity's cheerers. You will be surprised by how much of a difference it really makes to get you going when your mind is willing but your body is wavering.

Time to be dedicated...
Committing to take part in a race for charity is a huge undertaking and one that will require a massive amount of dedication, with usually weeks and months of hard training needed in the  lead-up to the race in addition to the fundraising that is required to be carried out at the same time as well. That's why the goal of many charities is to provide their runners with the same amount of commitment as their runners give to the charity.