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Charitable Running Contributes to Surge in Marathon Popularity
 | As record numbers of people compete in marathons, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there are two types of marathon runners: the competitive type whose goal is a PR, to finish under 3 hours or to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and the non-competitive type whose goal is just to finish the race.
It’s the non-competitive type that has fueled the incredible growth in marathon running during the past decade. And many of these people are being motivated by fundraising for a charitable cause.
“Without a doubt, the charity training programs like Team in Training have fueled a good part of the marathon growth over the past decade,” said Ryan Lampa of Running USA.
The proof, Lampa says, is the increase in the number of women running marathons and the fact that median times have slowed considerably, meaning that the new runners are less interested in competition.
In 1980, nearly 90% of marathon runners were men, according to an RRIC report. That number dropped to 74% in 1995, 62% in 2000, and 60% last year. At the same time, median finishing times have slowed from 3:32 for men and 4:03 for women in 1980, to 4:23 for men and 4:55 for women last year.
According to a 2004 USA Track & Field study, road runners and walkers raised $560 million for charity, with much of that coming from marathoners.
In a press release about the San Francisco Marathon’s Cause to Run program, USATF CEO Craig Masbeck said, “For years, charity running has been a major economic force in this country. Even more encouraging is charity running continues to grow, as Americans continue to promote fitness, wellness, and giving to have a positive effect on American society.”
San Francisco Marathon’s Cause to Run is one of the most comprehensive marathon charity programs. Entrants to the marathon, half-marathon or 5K event can choose of one the marathon’s non-profit beneficiaries to which a portion of their entry fee is automatically donated. Runners also have the option of raising more funds by collecting pledges from family, friends or co-workers. The marathon’s website lists over 20 charities who take part in the program.
Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon has one of the best charity programs around. According to an article in the Cincinnati Enquirer, 45% of the 12,000 runners who competed in the 2004 race ran to raise money for charity. They collected over $1 million. The top earning charity was the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. The marathon’s website lists over 70 charities in its program.
In addition to the Team in Training program, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is a major player in charitable marathon running. Both programs sponsor runners in events across the country and provide support in their training and fundraising. According to the Komen Foundation’s website (www.komen.org), over 1 million people are expected to participate in Komen Race for the Cure running events this year.
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