Why run for charity?

You can save the charity money
Charities that have guaranteed places in races will have bought these places from the race you have entered. However if you're lucky enough to have gained your own place through the particular race's ballot, choosing to run for a charity means the charity won't incur the costs of your place. What you do manage to raise will be mostly profit, with only certain things - e.g. general administration fees - having to be paid for by the charity.

It gives you a purpose for your training
Running only for the sake of running may not be a good enough reason for certain people to compete in a race event. You might look at the race and think, "What is the purpose of doing it other than simply running over the finishing line?". But raising money for charity can be your very reason for doing it - although you will  certainly get some self-satisfaction from finishing the race as well.

It gives you motivation for running
As the darker nights set in and the idea of running in wet, cold weather doesn't seem appealing, you may think about giving it a miss or even of not running in your race at all. If a charity is relying on you, however, you won't want to disappoint them, so this will hopefully compel you to continue with your running - and this may even provide you with that additional push to finish the distance on race day.

Personal reason for charity running
You may have a personal reason for wanting to run for a charity - e.g. if you, a friend or family member are or has been affected by a certain illness or disease. Running for charity can help you to feel like you are contributing something towards a cause that is close to your heart. In many cases runners are motivated by the memory of a loved one - plus you may even be able to get one or more of your friends to take part in a race for the same charity.

Support network for your training
Your selected charity can provide you with excellent back-up and support to help you you get to the starting line for the race. They should provide fantastic pre-race support - often supplying you with running training plans - so that you're all prepared for race day. And it is likely that they will give you some help with other arrangements too, such as travelling to the race venue and seeking out accommodation if you want to stay a couple of nights before or after race.

Being with fellow runners
If you take part in a race for a charity then there will be plenty of other people in the same position, so you won't be without someone to talk to on race day if you are nervous, unsure or begin to flag. Many charity runners will look distinctive due to their conspicuously marked running tops, so you will be in no doubt who they are running for. There's always a great sense of camaraderie among people running for charity at race events - and there'll definitely be some cheerers from the charity lining the route at various points in the race willing you on.

Great support on race day
You will have one less thing to worry about on race day, as your charity will take a lot of the stress out of your running event by making sure you have and know everything you need to ensure the big day runs smoothly. Also, if and when you begin to struggle towards the end of the race, it's guaranteed there will be groups of cheerleaders from your chosen charity on the sidelines to make sure you reach the finishing line.  

Gift aid
If you decide to support a charity by fundraising, UK taxpayers can also help the charity even further by adding their address to your online sponsorship page or paper form. If their address is given then the selected charity will receive an extra 28%, which will make a real difference to the amount raised.

Helps to increase awareness of the charity
High-profile races such as marathons are fantastic opportunities for a charity to increase awareness about their cause. Dozens of runners wearing the charity's branded running vests on race day can help raise the profile of the charity in the public's consciousness. In the course of your own individual fundraising you will also be talking about the charity and its efforts to all of your family, friends and other individuals that support you.

It will make you fitter through running
Just starting out in running? Training for a race can appear to be a massive undertaking - especially if it's a long event such as a marathon - but, providing you train and run properly, you'll become fitter than you have probably been in a long time (if not in your entire life!). In some respects, then, by taking part in an event for a charity, you will get something in return - in other words, a healthier, fitter and more active body and mind. This is a great reason to get off the backside once and for all and get active!