Opting to run a race for a charity is a fantastically rewarding experience. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider running for charity, whatever event you take part in.
1. Your running can save a charity money
Charities have the opportunity to buy places from race events to give to runners that raise a certain amount of money. However, if you are lucky enough to secure your own place through the race’s ballot or other entry systems, you can decide to raise funds for a charity of your choice, at no additional cost to the charity.
After small fees from having you as part of the race team are covered, the money that you raise will be mostly profit going directly to the charity providing a welcome boost to their donations.
2. Charity running provides you with a purpose
Beyond the sense of achievement that you will get from finishing a race, running on behalf of a charity will give you further purpose for completing the event. If you are able to achieve personal goals as well as raising valuable funds for a charity of your choice, this can add another level of effort to the challenge. You may even go on to beat your record!
3. Motivation to train
We all know how hard it can be to stay motivated to run when the rain is bouncing off the pavement and temperatures are dropping, it’s tempting to give training a miss or even consider pulling out of your race. However, if a charity is relying on you, you won’t want to let them down. This will give you extra motivation to brave the elements as well as achieving your goals on race day.
4. Personal reasons
You may have your own personal reasons for wanting to support a particular charity. If you, a family member or friend has been affected by a particular disease or illness then running to raise funds for a charity will help you feel like you are doing your bit for a cause that is close to your heart.
People are often motivated by the memory of a loved one, and you might even be able to encourage other friends or family members to get up and running for the same charity.
5. Support surrounding the event
The charity will make sure it provides plenty of support for their runners; before, during and after the event. They will offer training plans as well as tips for fundraising for the weeks coming up to the race, and will help with other arrangements to ensure you feel well prepared when you are standing on the start line.
6. You’re part of the family
In an event like the London Marathon which is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet, there will be thousands of people all in the same boat. Whether they are representing the same charity as you or another cause, there will always be someone to turn to should you be nervous, unsure or start to flag.
There is a massive sense of camaraderie amongst charity runners
Most charities will provide their runners with a clearly branded running top so there will be no doubt who everyone is raising money for. There is a massive sense of camaraderie amongst charity runners on race day so definitely make the most of it and talk to other runners.
7. The day has arrived
Come race day the charity will take out most of the hassle out of your event and make sure you know everything you need to, the only thing left to you is running the race! If you start to struggle you can be sure that you’ll see gangs of supporters from your charity cheering you on from the side which is guaranteed to be a second wind in your sails.
8. Gift aid benefits
If you make the decision to help out a charity by raising funds, taxpayers in certain countries can also benefit the charities ever further by adding their full details to your sponsor form or online page. If this information is given then the charity may in some cases receive an extra set percentage in the form of tax relief (in the UK this is known as Gift Aid), which can make a real difference to their work.
9. Helping raise awareness
High profile events such as marathons will have thousands of spectators as well as the potential for television coverage. This makes these events fantastic opportunities for a charity to raise awareness of their cause. Runners and support teams sporting branded clothing can help bring the charity to public consciousness and you can feel incredibly proud to be contributing to that.
10. Running inevitably gets you fit
For those of you who are starting out in running , training for a race can be challenging but also very rewarding. Training for a race, especially longer events such as marathons, is very important to be properly prepared when the day arrives. Provided you train properly, you will be fitter than you’ve been in some time, potentially the whole of your life.
By deciding to run for a charity, you are not only contributing to their donations but you are also investing in your physical health and well-being. It’s a win-win situation and as good a reason as any to get off the couch once and for all…
Surely by now, you are convinced about the benefits of running for charity! Why not explore Run with realbuzz and start your journey today!