I believe you’re looking at the fundraising related to marathon running entirely in the wrong way. Naturally, the quality of charities and non-profits vary but I think it’s safe to say that in general charities support good causes and do so with best intentions. Charities that benefit from the fundraising activites need funds and will use whatever events they can to achieve their fundraising goals.

While I agree that marathoners are achieving a personal fitness goal, many are running for a dual purpose, the second purpose being to raise money. Marathoners don’t benefit personally (although at some levels the registration fee will be covered by the charity). A marathoner’s solicitation of donations for funds is no different than a person’s solicitation for funds for March of Dimes, United Way campaigns, Boy Scouts, the selling of food plates to raise money, etc. The idea is the same. Whatever the situation, funds are being raised for a noble cause. I would even argue that in the case of marathoners the case is even more noble, since the runner is willing to endure a tremendous amount of pain and hardship while training and go through the hassle of asking people for donations. Many people hate being approached for donations (and crumudgions even more so) regardless of the cause.

I would wager that many marathoners use the chartiable fundraising as a way to remain motivated, e.g. they don’t want to let down the cause for which they’re raising funds.

I haven’t run a marathon but am planning to do so. I’m hoping to use the event to raise funds for a local charity deeply in need of funds. When I propose the idea to friends and colleagues, I will tell them to donate only if they are inclined to do so. There is no social pressure to do so.

Finally, I understand that chartiable solicitations can become bothersome, especially if you get hit by a different charity every week and are, essentially requirewd to donate to United Way and your employer’s PAC at work. However, the reasons (excuses) you raised are the same that one hears from every tightwad, who resists giving in most cases where there isn’t any social pressure. I don’t believe a person should ever give beyond their means, but, for those of us that do have it, why not help make the world a better place? And, why not use the marathon and marathon runners as a means to generate charitable contributions? Because a handful of people may be inconvenienced and feel shame when they don’t donate?

P.S.: You should add a “subscribe to post comments” plugin to the blog.

I got a couple of these recently and they did put me in a dilemma.

The social obligation is predominantly loooming over u in requests such as these…and that makes this sticky situation…

I totally agree with you on this issue. I have seen many of my buddies changing after joining an X organization. In the process of volunteering, people got so involved that they ruin their personal relationships.

Rag’s

I completely agree with your comment on the overhead, and knowing exactly how said charity uses donation.

said, as a marathoner who does fundraise, I don’t agree with the overall tone of your blog (like you said, we are all entitled to our opinions, and I do respect yours!) I solicit friends, but NEVER expect donations out of them, and do not look down at anyone who can not or chooses not to donate. I have chosen not to donate to other friends who were fundraising, and it never changed our friendship. Times are tough, money is tight, I get that. I would not use the term “exploit”.

I agree that the marathon and the fundraising don’t need to go hand in hand, but if they do, great. However, I would disagree that the runner is not “doing” anything other than fufilling a personal goal (the marathon). Fund raising is hard work, and is NOT required. The person could simply register for the race, run it, achieve goal, and call it a day. Instead, they go out of their way to make a difference, even if it is simply by asking for donations.