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Running for Charity
Running is among the most popular sports in the world and offers athletes of all kinds a perfect way to participant in Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up. Regardless of whether you run for competition, exercise or fun, you can enjoy your sport while helping children confronted by AIDS in Africa.
Climb Up is a self-directed charity challenge; participants are asked to create their own event and recruit sponsors to benefit African children with AIDS. With just a small amount of effort, Climb Up participants can enjoy their favorite activity while truly “Running for Charity.”
Running lends itself well to creating a Climb Up challenge since most runnrs are goal focused. Goals can be created by either individuals or groups and are often focused on distance or achieving a particular time. To add interest, many past participants have added a creative twist too, however several activities popular when running for charity include:
5K Race
Running a 5K race is an excellent goal for new runners, exercise runners or simply someone that wants to get off the couch to help children with AIDS. Competing in a 5K race will give you lots of motivation, enjoyment and satisfaction.
A 5K race is 3.1 miles, which is a perfect distance for first time runners and a standard for distance runners of all types. If you’re just starting, check out this 5k Race Training Guide. Climb Up participants have used 5K races to successfully raise funds in several ways: Sponsorship, Straight Donation and Post Race Event. Regardless of which fundraising method you use, a 5K race is an excellent goal for a Climb Up Challenge.
10K Race
For many, running a 10K race is challenging when running for charity. Few casual runners regularly cover this distance, so a 10K race is the type of challenge that fits well with Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up. Furthermore beginning runners often look at a 10K race as a lofty, yet attainable, goal.
A 10K race is 6.2 miles and normally requires a significant amount of preparation. It’s wise to adopt a training schedule for your 10k race. For beginners, here is a 10k Race Training Guide.
More experienced runners may have their own time-proven training techniques for a 10k race, but an Intermediate 10k Race Training Guide may help too.
Don’t forget, whether you’re a beginner or more experienced 10k race runner, recruiting sponsors will not only help motivate you stay focused on your athletic goal, but also your charitable one. Asking family, friends and coworkers to help is a good place to start, but if you need additional fundraising ideas for your 10k race goal, check out Climb Up’s fundraising ideas too.
Half Marathon
A half marathon is a serious challenge for most runners and a great choice for a Climb Up running challenge. One of the fastest growing types of running events, the half marathon is an attainable challenge and a precursor to attempting a marathon.
At 13.1 miles, the half marathon requires a substantial amount of discipline and training. For newer racers who may have already finished a couple of 5k or 10k races, the half marathon offers a worthy-yet-doable challenge; for more experienced athletes, training for a half marathon bolsters stamina for shorter races and endurance for a marathon.
The half marathon has captured the imagination of many prospective Climb Up sponsors. With its relation to the full length race, sponsors understand the challenge posed by a half marathon. Climb Up participants often find that a half marathon challenge generates a tremendous amount of motivational support for the runner and financial support for Climb Up.
About Climb Up so Kids Can Grow Up
Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up is a fundraising initiative created by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS, an African AIDS Charity that assists children affected by the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Participants are asked to select a demanding physical challenge, recruit sponsors and donate the proceeds to help African children with AIDS.