I woudl like to know how many of you run races for yourself or if everybody runs to raise money? After having been unwell last year I challenged myself to a marathon to get myselft out of a rut. I did not run for sponsorship. Lots of my family and friends were surprised at that. Is it normal to run for your own achievement or is it expected that you try to raise money every time?
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I raised money for a friend's charity when I ran my first marathon, but haven't done so since. I'm not the type of person who's comfortable with pestering people for money.
I've always thought if I ever get into the London marathon through the ballot that I would run for a charity though.
I tend to run for sponsorship if it's a new challange, 1st 10K, 1st half marathon - I'd say etc. but I've no intention of doing a full marathon! and I've got sponsorship when running as a team from work.
sj
I will no doubt run for charity again at some point, and I applaud all runners who do it, but no need to feel guilty about not doing so.
As above did the 1st three for charity and then haven't done so since.
I just feel that you cant keep asking your friends / work coll for money all the time.
Do what you want its up to you - you have paid to run the race !
Thera, I wouldn't feel bad for not running for charity plenty of people don't.
I often get asked "what charity are you running for" and I am afraid to say that thus far I have run for myself. I started running to lose weight and to get healthy and as I said to some friends recently "would you really want me asking you for sponsor money every other weekend."
If I get into the VLM I will probably sort out a charity to run for then all the people who keep asking me can pay up, cause there is only one marathon
I ran a HM last year organised for a local hospice so I raised money, if I get a VLM ballot place then I am thinking of doing it for charity. I've never signed up for a charity place as I don't want the pressure of having to raise £2500 which they ask for the VLM.
Thanks everyone!! I'm glad I am not the only one. You are right, I should not see it as pressure when people ask me what charity I am running for and I am only running for myself ( or should I tell them I am the charity????...maybe too cheeky...)
danowat - you're right about giving to charity when you want rather than having to just to do your hobby.
I run for myself and times also - its good when some of the money goes to charity - sometrimes I enter a race instead of a Sunday run, and if that raises money then thats good.
I just keep them seperate...I got nobbled by the Red cross for £10 a month as it is!!
I run for myself. I did the FLM for charity but that is the only time I am going to do it.
I do so many races and if I got sponsorship for every race I did, I would have no friends.
I think the London marathon etc makes most people think that all races are charity events.
Yup.
Me - I am running a half marathon at the weekend
Them - Which charity are you doing that for?
Me - I am not doing it for charity
Stunned look of disbelief and confusion....
Them - really?, why on earth would you run a half marathon for nothing?
"They" just don't get it do they
I ran a marathon a few months back. Everyone at work asked me - "What charity are you running for ?" and when I answered I wasn't the reaction was an indignant "WHY NOT??" like I was some sort of selfish arsehole.
I don't ask people what charity they are playing Sunday Leaugue 5 a side for, do I? Or what charity they are going fishing for over the weekend? Why should my hobby be any different?
Because it's there and it's fun!!!
Good luck Dano
When I do it I try and use just giving as you don't have that hassle although I do worry if I was unlucky enough to get a last minute injury and pulled out everyone would have paid.
Would prob always do london for charity - but only if i get through ballot (which i have twice now ) as the amount the charities need you to raise is quite high these days. Peeps get fed up being asked even if it's years apart.
Doing London for a charity makes sense (it's the only way). Next time I get asked 'which charity' I will ask them how many times a year I can come round for sponsorship money!
hi hope you dont mind me joining in here...did race for life last year & of course everyone else was doing it! limit to how many times people want to sponser someone to do same race, if i ever get to gnr then would try for charity tho otherwise just do it for ME!!!
I did once do NY marathon - on an NSPCC place - tying to raise the 2k required was very very difficult indeed and required much help from my husband and his colleagues as well as my own work mates.