Sponsorship - to do or not to do? - General running

Thera

25/09/2009 at 13:38

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?

FerrousFerret

25/09/2009 at 13:43

Sponsorship free zone here. It's a hobby for me and I don't consider what I'm doing is exceptional. I was brought up in a 'anti-sponsorship' household though.

fat buddha

25/09/2009 at 13:44

I run for myself - but I have run for charity as the occasional by-product of that....

Edited: 25/09/2009 at 13:45

www.the1000milechallenge.com

25/09/2009 at 13:49

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.

Thera

25/09/2009 at 13:49

Thanks for that. It's a hobby for me as well, but I almost felt like a bit of a fraud when I did my marathon in spring. I'm glad there are a few of us out there that do not run for sponsorship.

Barnsley Bomber

25/09/2009 at 13:51

i have been running for 30 years & have run 600 racers & i have run 595 of the my self

jogblog

25/09/2009 at 13:52

I got sponsorship for my first race because I was excited about it and thought it was a long way (only 3.5 miles but that was a long way for me then) and because as it was a charity race, thought I had to raise sponsorship. I haven't asked for sponsorship since and wouldn't in the future, as like others have said, I run for me and it's just a hobby.

Strawberry JAM

25/09/2009 at 13:53

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.

RunningCommentary

25/09/2009 at 13:54

The great majority of runners don't run races for charity. I've done it twice -- once because it was the only chance of taking part in the race. The other time I did it was voluntary, which I much preferred as there was no target to reach.

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.

KAKS

25/09/2009 at 13:54

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 !

Tommygun2

pirate

25/09/2009 at 13:58

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

danowat

25/09/2009 at 13:58

Did sport relief once, but I run for me, if I want to give to charity, I will, but I don't feel the need to run for charity.

Weeble.

25/09/2009 at 14:02

Run for myself, but having said that I am only running my first race this week. Unless it was a marathon I'd be a bit embarrassed to ask for sponsorship. I don't think I should be paid to haul my fat arse around 6 or so miles.

RichardB

25/09/2009 at 14:04

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.

Thera

25/09/2009 at 14:07

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.

Simon Coombes 2

25/09/2009 at 14:10

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!!

Shimmy shimmy

25/09/2009 at 14:22

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.

danowat

25/09/2009 at 14:29

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

Artie Fufkin, Polymer Records

25/09/2009 at 14:30

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?

RichardB

25/09/2009 at 14:31

Because it's there and it's fun!!!

Good luck Dano