A while back on Runner’s World in their RW Daily blog they mentioned a government official who planned to run a race for a charity that he loathed. The motivation for him was to make sure his credit card wasn’t charged if he “failed” at his goal, thus giving money to a group he didn’t identify with.
This ignited some anger in the comments on the site. I don’t understand the logic in this plan since most of the time you have to fundraise for the organization. So even if he is avoiding a pay out to the charity from his own account, was he asking his friends and family to contribute to a cause he doesn’t approve?
There are often some disparaging remarks on the RW message boards about charity runners. Some of the faster runners seem to think people who are running a race as part of a group raising money for a cause aren’t “real” runners.
However, I think finding a cause that you believe in and running for them is a great way to find motivation. Some of these participants raise the money, run the race and then place a big checkmark next to that life goal… but many of these people end up as converts to the sport.
I ran my 2nd marathon with Team In Training. I have a few family members that have been afflicted by Leukemia and Lymphoma so it’s not like the cause was completely foreign to me. But the real thing I got out of it was a huge sense of accomplishment, introductions to a great support system and the motivation to keep running even beyond the race.
I’m also a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I have run the Race for the Cure here in Las Vegas 3 years in a row. When I was at the expo for the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon last November I spoke to a Komen representative and learned about the Komen Marathon for the Cure program, something I would be interested in sometime in the future. And some day I would love to do a 3-Day with my mom, even though these events are walking and not running. I’ve heard the energy in the 3-day is just amazing.
I also participate in a Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society each year. The beauty of this is that the ACS helps fund research for ALL cancers. This way you know your participation is helping a lot of different people.
My personal feeling is that if running (or walking) for a charity motivates someone to get physically active, then that is awesome. Yes, the fundraising is hard work and if I do a major fundraiser again I really want to find ways where I am not just asking my friends & family to donate, but to figure out ways to raise the money purely on my own for work that I’ve done. But the effort is really gratifying too.
Do you have a charity that you feel strongly about? What are your thoughts on charity runners?
Jill Will Run 
I belong to an Triathlete organization and although we do not raise money for individual races we do TONS of charity work. I have written my thoughts in regard to volunteering in past blogs and I feel the same way about charity. There is nothing quite like giving back. And I honestly don’t think it matters if you are personally connected or not, however I do think you need to FEEL connected. This year I am running the PDR for the charity Back on my Feet: a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.
Whew…sorry for such a long comment. I think you have inspired me for a future post.
I’ve heard about that charity PDR – they had a great writeup in Runner’s World a few months ago, didn’t they? It started in Philly, I believe.
I’ve always felt proud of my friend Corey who raises money for Miles for Miracles with the Boston Marathon. I totally love those who do the Relay for Life (reminds me to give something to my sister and friend who take part in two separate Relays each year.)
I can’t stand the disparaging remarks about charity runners, like they don’t deserve to be out there because they’re not “real” runners. Will the elitism ever stop?
Ugh!
Ok, off the soapbox.
I knew you’d feel the fury about the elitist remarks Terri!
And your friend Corey is amazing, I’ve enjoyed reading about his efforts on your site!
I trained for this marathon wtih team in training. I’m not sure what someone would define as a real runner but I feel like all of the people I met through this exprience are real runners. Is a real runner someone who wakes up before dawn to run? Then check. Someone who changes their schedule to run? check. Puts their heart into it? triple check. Sub 10 minute miles? check. Sub 9? well I’m working on it 🙂
I, too, read an article about this and I was upset by it. I know many people in TNT who also qualified for Boston. Maybe people should be asking for more races with qualifying times… but to say a marathoner at any speed, for any reason, is not a runner…well I just don’t get it.
If I ever need a good laugh, I head to the comments on the RW blog. There are some strange people with even stranger ideas on there.
I have never run for a charity. Well, I waled in the relay for life years ago. I think 2 things have kept me from a serious fund raising effort. First, I think I am too busy to bother with it. Second, I can’t stand the thought of hitting up my friends and family for money. I don’t come from a family with excessive means. Nor do my friends have any extra loot laying around. Maybe one of these days I will hit up my work for a big contribution…
I hear you… it is hard to ask people to just give their money. My family and friends came through for me in an amazing way… but if I ever do it again I’m going to pimp my web skills… I’ll build people accessible and web standards-compliant web sites for a donation to my fundraising or something like that.
Ok, I just read the article in question. I took a different meaning away from Orszag’s comments. I don’t think he was running for a charity. I think he made a deal with himself to say “if I don’t complete my goal of running this marathon, I will give large bucks to XYZ charity. Since he hates XYZ charity, he will be more motivated to stick to his training and complete his goals.
Am I off?
The part about a “large contribution would automatically come out of my credit card” was what lead me to think he was actually signed up with a group. But perhaps you’re right.
I still think it’s a weird motivation… but I guess whatever works.
I usually run for an animal charity! I ran the Carlsbad Half Marathon in january for one of their official charities, labrador rescuers. I was their top fundraiser-so I was thrilled! I plan on doing it every year!!
I also biked the LA marathon for Rover rescue.
Now, I’m thinking I might start my own charity of sorts to raise money for an animal charity for the San Fran half-but I’m sure there isn’t enough time!!! I just have to find a charity that I can run for-maybe Best Friends!!
I’ve always been impressed by your conviction to this cause. It really comes through on your site!
That would be cool if you started your own charity, but you’re always so busy! Don’t over-extend yourself! 🙂
oh man. i have a hard enough time sticking to my marathon training, i don’t think i could ever train AND raise $x! i have nothing against charity runners. well, i do think it’s a little hokey that they can run boston, BUT the money raised in exchange makes up for it. i do think they are great people – not only are they working towards a personal goal and a healthier life, but they are striving to make life easier for many others too. admirable.
i have one charity i’d probably raise money and run for but they don’t have any ‘official’ connection for marathons. now that i think about it i could probably just do it on my own and then give them the money right? will have to put more thought into that…
Those comments are ignorant. How can someone disagree with helping other people (or animals)? Probably a certain amount of disdain for their own lives fuels their “real” running.