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Original poster

To think sponsored charity events are exclusive

55 replies

Hooploop · 15/05/2023 08:17

I've got into running over the past year or so and would like to challenge myself to a marathon to raise money for a particular charity that has been a help to my family.

However, minimum sponsorship is £2,000! I understand charities have fundraising targets but there's absolutely no way I'd ever be able to raise £2k+. I'm single, I have a very small family (3 of us), only have a handful of close friends, and work mostly remotely. I barely know my colleagues.

So are charity events only exclusively for wealthy, outgoing, popular/well-connected people who can easily raise cash?

OP posts:
JulieHoney · 15/05/2023 19:50

I feel pretty dumb for thinking raising a few hundred quid is worthwhile, because I guess it isn't. So therefore you can only take part in big events like the London Marathon if you're rich, you know lots of people, or know rich people

@Hooploop - that's the bit that came about as stroppy. "I thought it would be nice but you big meanie-pants made me feel stupid" is the vibe I'm getting.

Raise money. It's a great thing to do. Get sponsored to run a set amount per mile, or do any of a million thngs. London Marathon isn't the venue.

AuntieStella · 15/05/2023 20:34

If you don't want endless laps, then don't go near the one in Battersea!

When were you thinking of doing it?

You've missed it for this year, but if you're thinking of next spring, then maybe Brighton?

Or if you want autumn, then Richmond is a good shout

BunnySneezes · 16/05/2023 11:06

Hooploop · 15/05/2023 13:46

Perhaps my post was not well worded. I want to raise money for a charity that helped a relative at the end of their life, that's the purpose. I have got into running recently and thought that it would make sense to combine the two things. I'm not looking to do a marathon for pleasure. (As far as I'm aware, running 26 miles is not all that pleasurable or fun for most people?!)

I feel pretty dumb for thinking raising a few hundred quid is worthwhile, because I guess it isn't. So therefore you can only take part in big events like the London Marathon if you're rich, you know lots of people, or know rich people.

Raising ANY amount of money for charity is hugely appreciated, but please understand they need to break even on charity bond places they pay for or maximise fundraising opportunities for a charity place allocated once every five years or so. It's not a case of being ungrateful for the support.

If you were running for my charity as an independent runner (ie organising your own race place) you'd get a lot of fundraising support - sponsorship forms, a running vest, shout out on social media etc. And a big thank you and certificate once your fundraising was completed.

If you don't want to pay the entrance fee then that's fine -- you can take this out of your fundraising total as long as you are totally transparent with your donors.

Billblight · 16/05/2023 12:18

Sissynova · 15/05/2023 08:59

Why should it be primarily a sporting event? No one has put an obligation on charity funding on running as a sport. You’re free to run as much as you like and there is no cost.

What isn’t free is piggybacking on the back of a large costly event and then complaining about it. You want all the perks and non of the work.
Organising the London marathon is incredibly costly, it takes a lot of people organising the logistics for it to come off.
It’s by no means the same as you choosing to walk in a nice part of the country.

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You do know that people pay a high entry fee to cover the cost of the race, don’t you?

Billblight · 16/05/2023 12:25

TeresaCrowd · 15/05/2023 14:19

It's also a bit sad that regular competitors struggle to get places at what is, lets be honest, the pinnacle running event in the UK because of how many places go to charity. People who run all the time, run each weekend with a club etc still want to run a big closed road course but it's arguably more difficult for them to get sponsorship because its not really a challenge to them. I'm not a runner really but I am a cyclist and can never take up charity places at bike events because I get the 'why should we sponsor you, you knock out 100-150 miles a weekend anyway' but they would sponsor me to put the suffering in to train for a marathon. For regular marathon runners i'd bet it was the same. Arguably the charities would get more money if people just got sponsorship to run round their local park with zero entry costs and all money going to the charity...

Show quote history

Exactly! Regular runners wanting to run their biggest domestic marathons not getting an entry as charities have totally taken over. Chris Brasher and John Disley started the event as a running event, certainly not a fundraiser!!!

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