How to Run for Charity & Raise Money
Running is one of the most popular ways to fundraise for a charity, but what’s the best way to go about this? Read on to learn how to raise money for charity by running, find upcoming race events, and discover how Crowdfunder can help you throughout your fundraising journey.
Contents
- 10k charity running events
- Half marathon charity running events
- Marathon charity running events
- Ultra marathon charity running events
- How to prepare for a charity run
- How to raise money for charity by running
- 5 fundraising ideas to boost awareness of your charity run
- Start raising money for charity with Crowdfunder
Why run for charity?
There are many reasons why people decide to run for a charity. It can be a great way to give back to a charity that’s supported you or a loved one in the past, perhaps during a time of illness or financial hardship.
Some runners simply want to improve their fitness levels and take on a new challenge, and find that fundraising for a charity is the motivation they need to push themselves.
What’s more, running for a charity helps to raise awareness of the cause. When you’re asking for sponsorship in person or via your Crowdfunder profile, you’ll be talking about the charity and its work, and you’ll have their name pinned to your shirt on race day, getting its name out there to even more people. Many runners like to make sure the charity’s name is visible on their training kit too, often with a QR code that people can scan to donate when they see you out and about.
UK charity running events
10k charity running events
- Date: Sunday 4th May 2025
- Route: In and around Birmingham city centre, through the Chinese Quarter, Jewellery Quarter, and more.
- Registration fee: £35*
- Date: Sunday 18th May 2025
- Route: Start in the heart of Manchester, run past Old Trafford on the way to Salford Quays, and cross the finish line back in the city centre.
- Registration fee: £45*
- Date: Sunday 7th September 2025
- Route: Follow the path of the River Tyne, beginning in Newcastle city centre, crossing the finish line by the coast in South Shields.
- Registration fee: £37*
- Date: Sunday 28th September 2025
- Route: Run throughout the heart of London, finishing up at Buckingham Palace.
- Registration fee: £46.50*
- Date: Sunday 5th October 2025
- Route: Race through the heart of Glasgow city centre, crossing the River Clyde, ending up at Glasgow Green.
- Registration fee: £37*
- Date: Sunday 19th October 2025
- Route: Begin on Portsmouth seafront, running past the Historic Dockyard and through the city, before crossing the finish line in Southsea.
- Registration fee: £50*
Half marathon charity running events
London Landmarks Half Marathon
- Date: Sunday 6th April 2025
- Route: Run along the River Thames past the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Monument and The Tower of London, finishing by Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square.
- Registration fee: £25*
- Date: Sunday 27th April 2025
- Route: Through Stratford-upon-Avon, taking in historic sites connected to William Shakespeare, to raise money for The Shakespeare Hospice.
- Registration fee: £36*
- Date: Sunday 8th June 2025
- Route: A challenging, hilly course, but it’s all worth it for the sight of the Isle of Wight’s iconic Needles along the way.
- Registration fee: £35*
- Date: Sunday 12th October 2025
- Route: A flat route, taking you through the heart of Manchester city centre, finishing close to Old Trafford football ground.
- Registration fee: £50*
- Date: Sunday 12th October 2025
- Route: A brilliant opportunity to run through four of London’s beautiful Royal Parks, beginning and ending in Hyde Park, and taking in Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park and Green Park en route.
- Registration fee: £30*
- Date: Sunday 16th November 2025
- Route: Set off from the resort’s Dark Forest, before running around the theme park, beneath the path of some of the UK’s most iconic rides. After completing the course, you’ll get to enjoy Alton Towers for the rest of the day!
- Registration fee: £50*
Marathon charity running events
- Date: Sunday 6th April 2025
- Route: A 26.2 mile route mostly along Brighton and Hove seafront, offering some breathtaking views.
- Registration fee: £69.99*
- Date: Sunday 27th April 2025
- Route: One of the world’s most iconic marathon routes, beginning in Greenwich Park, before tracking the River Thames and nearby landmarks, finishing along The Mall as you run up towards Buckingham Palace.
- Registration fee: £69.99*
- Date: Sunday 27th April 2025
- Route: A new route for 2025, taking you from the city centre towards Altrincham, before you loop back around and cross the finish line on Oxford Road.
- Registration fee: £59 to £79*
- Date: Sunday 25th May 2025
- Route: Known as one of the world’s fastest marathon routes, there are some much-appreciated downhill stretches on this course, which takes in many of Edinburgh’s best-loved landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Portobello seafront.
- Registration fee: £79.50*
- Date: Sunday 28th September 2025
- Route: 26.2 miles past the majestic Loch Ness, finishing up in nearby Inverness. Keep your eyes peeled for the monster…
- Registration fee: £40 to £74*
- Date: Sunday 8th March 2026
- Route: Start and finish at Pembrey Country Park, and take in the Millennium Coastal Path and stunning views of the Gower Peninsula along the way.
- Registration fee: £35*
Ultra marathon charity running events
- Date: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th May 2025
- Route: Choose your distance, from 25km to 100km, along the spectacular World Heritage coastline, taking in Corfe Castle, Swanage, Durdle Door, Weymouth, and Chesil Beach (depending on your ultra distance).
- Registration fee: £39 to £199 (depending on distance)*
- Date: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025 (note: 250km events will take place over 5 days)
- Route: Through the beautiful Peak District National Park. Entrants can choose a 50km, 75km, 220km or 250km route.
- Registration fee: £400 for the 250km event*
- Date: Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2025
- Route: Run through all 13 valleys of the Lake District National Park during a 180km route, around fells and lakes (including Windermere), starting and finishing in Keswick. Shorter routes taking in just some of the valleys are also available.
- Registration fee: £65 to £210 (depending on distance)*
*Race entry fees may vary depending on whether you’re applying for general entry or an official charity place.
How to prepare for a charity run
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to run to raise money for charity, there are a few details to consider before you begin training, including the type of race you’d like to take part in.
1. Choose your distance
Start by selecting your distance. If it’s your first time doing a charity run, a 10k (6.2 miles) is a good place to start. Push yourself further with a half-marathon, or sign up for a full marathon, if you know you have the time to dedicate to training.
The ultimate challenge is an ultra marathon. These running challenges can be any distance from 25km up to 250km, and are a real test of endurance. Most ultra runners have a few marathons under their belt already before taking on this feat, and it’s not to be entered lightly.
Think carefully about your ability, the time you have to train, and what’s a realistic way to raise money for charity while challenging yourself when choosing your distance.
2. Select a charity
Next, decide which charity you’d like to raise money for. There might be a cause close to your heart that you’d like to give back to, but if you need help choosing, below are some of the popular charities people fundraise for via Crowdfunder:
3. Devise a training plan
Distance runners are typically extremely disciplined and strict about their training plans. Take time to think about what’s realistic for you to fit around your schedule to devise a training plan that works for you:
- After registering for your event, calculate how many weeks you have to train, and set a distance or duration goal for each week
- Incorporate running, regular strength training, and rest days into your training plan
- Try to increase your mileage each week by just 1 or 2 miles to slowly build up your stamina as race day approaches
- Join online forums or listen to podcasts to get tips from fellow runners on devising a training plan – many race events will also offer advice when you register
- Keep your body fuelled with a balance of complex carbs, good fats, and lean protein
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated throughout your training
- Make time to rest, but when you’re struggling with motivation, remember the charity you’re fundraising for, and the difference you’ll be making on race day
4. Get the right gear
Before embarking on your training plan, it’s important to make sure you have the right running gear to enhance your performance and prevent injuries. This should include:
- Moisture-wicking clothing, including a top, and shorts or leggings
- Comfortable, supportive running shoes
- Hydration pack, to keep you hydrated while you run
- Energy gels, gummies, or other high-sugar snacks
- Fitness tracker to monitor your pace and distance as you build your stamina
5. Connect with other runners
Stay accountable for your training plan by connecting with other runners via social media or by joining a local running group. Belonging to a running community can be incredibly motivating, as you share tips, and receive support and encouragement while you train.
How to raise money for charity by running
1. Set your fundraising goal
Start by setting your charity fundraising goal. Most races have a registration fee, and this is usually lower if you’re applying for a charity place. When you sign up, you’ll often have to pledge the amount you expect to fundraise, so think about what’s realistic before you commit.
2. Create a crowdfunding project
Next, create your crowdfunding profile. It only takes a few minutes to set up a page on Crowdfunder, and it’s the ideal way to gather donations, raise awareness of your fundraising, and keep your supporters updated on your training progress. You can also offer rewards to your supporters or run prize draws to give back to your crowd. If you’re part of a running club, you may be eligible to apply for match funding via Crowdfunder too.
3. Leverage social media
Use social media to shout about your fundraising, share your Crowdfunder profile, and ask for donations far and wide. Social media also provides you with the opportunity to keep your supporters updated with your progress, right up to the race day itself.
4. Seek sponsorship
Ask for sponsorship everywhere you go, including from:
- Friends
- Family
- Colleagues
- Local community members
- Local businesses
- Strangers via Crowdfunder and social media
5. Keep your supporters updated
Update your supporters on your progress every step of the way, via Facebook updates, Instagram Stories, or updates on your Crowdfunder page. When people can see how hard you’re pushing yourself, they may be inclined to pledge more support to your cause.
5 fundraising ideas to boost awareness of your charity run
Raise even more awareness of your running challenge and the charity you’re supporting with some additional fundraising activities to boost your total. Here are some of our top marathon fundraising ideas:
1. Bake sale
Host a bake sale or coffee morning at your workplace to boost awareness of your charity run over tea and cake, and see if you can attract a few more sponsors for your race at the same time.
2. Fancy dress challenge
Ask your supporters to pledge money to choose a fancy dress theme or costume that you’ll then have to run the race in – or at least provide evidence that you’ve completed a few training runs in!
3. Hold a raffle
Hosting a raffle is always a good way to raise some extra money for a cause. Sell tickets to friends, colleagues and people in your local community, and add the money you raise to your charity fundraising total. Good ideas for raffle prizes include:
- Luxury hamper
- Spa day
- Local restaurant vouchers
- Event tickets
- New running shoes
4. Quiz night
Host a charity quiz night, either online or in person, to give your charity fundraising a further boost. Not only is a quiz a great social activity, but charging a small entry fee will help you to raise more money and awareness of your run. Try these ideas for rounds:
- Marathon trivia
- Guess the marathon host city
- Famous runners picture round
- Round based on the number 26
5. Clothes swap
Invite friends to take part in a clothes swap in return for a donation towards your cause. It’s a much cheaper and more sustainable way to update your wardrobe than buying new clothes, and you could even swap unwanted running gear with fellow runners.
Start raising money for charity with Crowdfunder
Launch your crowdfunding page today to start your charity fundraising journey:
- Create your profile
- Tell your story and let people know about your upcoming run
Keep your supporters updated on your training, and give back to them with prize draws or rewards