Most runners are good people! Some are even great people!! Runners as a whole may be some of the most giving individuals in the US.  That sounds like a crazy statement, but most of us tend to race on weekends and inevitably, that race raises money for a specific cause. If we added up all of the race fees that supported an organization it could be a significant amount.

It is probably safe to say that most runners don’t have a personal interest in every cause they support with their race calendar.  Although many will travel or make special exceptions for certain causes/events that are of particular interest.  I ran a 5K the weekend after the Mini because I wanted to support the organization.

Many non-runners take up the sport because of programs like Team-in-Training, that provide support and personalized training.  TNT boasts over 320,000 individuals have helped raise over $750 million.  That’s a ton of money raised by individuals for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I have two friends (that I know of) who ran their first marathon because of TNT and in support or honor of a family member.

Using individuals in this manner has become a popular fund-raising method for large organizations across the country.  Its effective because it raises money and awareness of the issues at a very local, grassroots level.  The Complete Running Network posted regular updates about runners racing for charity at their blog’s Charity-o-Rama!

Another growing trend of “charitable running” is the donation of clothing, well specifically shoes! I don’t think anyone would want our used running shirts or shorts.  Each year I’ve done the Indy Mini I always plan on taking my old shoes for their donation boxes, and each year I forget! The Mini partners with an organization called Changing Footprints, which is actually located in Indiana, Columbus I think. I know a few individuals who collect shoes and take them on mission trips around the world for distribution.  Indianapolis based The Running Company has partnered with Soles 4 Souls, an international shoe donation organization, to be a drop-off site for used shoes.  To encourage participation they are providing a 15% discount off new shoes with an old shoe donation.

So whether you do it on purpose or not, keep up the charitable running!

If you are actively involved in charitable running leave me a comment and I’ll make a collection of charitable running links and information.