Charity Runs/Marathons in the UK for Under 16/18s In The Next Year? Any information?

Question

Hi, I'm interested in taking part in a Charity Run/Marathon in the UK for under 16/18 year olds in the next year (09, if this is avaliable?)

I'd also be interested in finding out if any are in the area surrounding Northampton??

If you have run these marathons/runs before, please give me information about how much it costs, how long it is, website addresses, did you enjoy the experience, was it full of serious runners or a variety including people doing it for the charitys?

Thanks if you can give me any sort of help on this matter,

Answer 1

This is easy for the 18 year olds - all runs will be open to them, so all they need to do is sign up for one (check runnersworld for listings), get a charity to support and run. However some of the longer runs (half marathons and longer) have age limits - 18's and older. This is because of the stresses on your body and liability for the organisers.

You would be best looking at, for example 10km runs. There are loads of these organised all over the country - again check Runnersworld and simular web sites for event listings.

The biggest series of charity runs - run for life - OK, they are for girls only and I think age limit of 16 and over, and are great fun to take part in apparantly.

There are 2 ways of running for a charity, you can find a charity that you want to support, go to their web page and see if they have any events they are taking part in (either their own, or entering a team) and sign up for it, or enter a run, pay the fees (normally about £10 to £20), then contact your chosen charity, tell them what you want to do and they will send you the sponsor forms out.

All you have to do then is run round the course.

As for distances, the 10km runs are about the best - long enough to be a challenge, and should take about an hour to complete with a bit of effort. Anything much longer and you will have to do some proper training.

Most of the larger runs have many charity runners running (Oh, I would go for a city run at the weekend as well) and this makes the event enjoyable.

I answered this when you asked in the fitness section but I have thought of other bits to add here

I think Northampton is near Silverstone race circuit? From memory - I might be wrong - there is a race for life or simular round the circuit, also in March a half marathon and a few other races throught the year

You could look for runnning clubs around northampton (many have web sites) and most will organise a race each year

Oh, and maybe you can get a few of you together to do the run - much more fun and enjoyable and you can encourage each other as you go