Run a half marathon for charity

Taking on a half marathon on behalf of a good cause could be exactly the challenge you need! Running for charity provides great motivation to train and comes with some diverse benefits, too. This is all the information you need to get started.

The Big Half

Setting yourself a challenge is one of the best ways to increase motivation to get outside and run, whether you feel like you've plateaued or are just not keen on running when it's dark and cold outside. Once you've committed to a challenge - and doing so publicly is the best way - you'll feel more accountable to lace up your trainers and head outdoors.

Looking for a challenge that will provide a hefty dose of motivation? Simple: sign up to run a half marathon for charity. Both of those factors are important, as the distance is long enough to require training for and the charity fundraising will generate motivation to keep moving when the going gets tough. Whether you have a particular affinity for the cause or not, supporting a charity will give extra meaning to your running and training, too.

Deciding to run a half marathon for charity is the kind of challenge that will give you an extra spring in your step as you head out for a training run but you might not be completely clued up on where to start. No bother - that's where we come in. This guide will explain what running for charity really involves and which half marathons you can take your pick from!

Why run for charity?

Sure, you need motivation to get outside and run, but that's far from the only reason to run a half marathon for charity. In short, doing so provides huge benefits to both you and the cause you'll be supporting, from the altruistic fulfilment of helping others to a guaranteed place on some of the most highly sought after start lines in the UK.

How do you get a charity place?

If you've never run for charity before, the process of doing so can be unfamiliar. Essentially, charities apply for and are awarded a set number of places in an event - how many they get will depend on the size of the event and the size of the charity. So when the regular event entries are all booked up, charities will still have their allocated places.

The process of getting one is pretty simple! You make an application to the charity, usually committing to paying an entry fee and raising a minimum amount of fundraising. The charity may also ask if you have any particular reason for wanting to support them - many people who raise money for mental health charities, for instance, have experienced poor mental health themselves. This isn't a necessary requirement to gain a place but could give your application an edge if places are hard to come by.

Once the charity accepts your application (there's no absolute guarantee that they will but unless places are severely limited, you should be fine) it will be up to you to start fundraising! The minimum fundraising requirement will depend on the size of the event. For the Great North Run, charities will ask for around £350; for the Mizuno Half Marathon in Amsterdam, you will need to raise about £150. In return for the funds that will help the charity continue providing vital services, they will offer a range of benefits to you as a runner.

Benefits of running for charity

Beyond the motivational boost to your training and the feel-good factor of supporting a good cause, you can expect a number of different benefits from committing to raise funds for a charity, including:

  • Fundraising support - charities know that raising money can be difficult, which is why they usually provide advice and branded materials to help generate sponsorship, particularly when the minimum requirement is high. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners. 

  • Training support - whether this is your first half marathon or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! Charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Running for Dreams Come True, for example, gets you access to advice from five-time Olympian Jo Pavey!

  • Branded running kit - when you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in, as well as the option of buying a training top to prepare in.

  • Support on the day - when you're partway through a half marathon and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Most charities will set-up a cheer station along the route of major half marathons, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!

  • Post-race recovery - many charities will provide refreshments and a post-race sports massage for their runners, particularly at larger events. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.

  • Exclusive social media groups - you won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

Half marathons with charity places

With some events organised directly by charities, like the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and others offering a range of charity places, like the Great Birmingham Run, there's a huge range of potential half marathons to enter in 2023!

A spirited Central London run with live music, upbeat DJs, street-dancers and inspiring themes on a landmark-packed route with closed roads. Charity places available for 2024.
  • Sun 7 Apr
  • FREE-£50
  • Entries closed
London, UK

London Landmarks Half Marathon

A spirited Central London run with live music, upbeat DJs, street-dancers and inspiring themes on a landmark-packed route with closed roads. Charity places available for 2024.

  • Entries closed
  • 13.1 miles road running
Take on a thrilling run at the Midlands' biggest and best running event! Thousands of Brummies pound the streets every year, from the heart of the city with an incredible atmosphere all the way.
  • Sun 5 May
  • £41
  • 6 charities
Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

Great Birmingham Run Half Marathon

Take on a thrilling run at the Midlands' biggest and best running event! Thousands of Brummies pound the streets every year, from the heart of the city with an incredible atmosphere all the way.

  • 13.1 miles road running
The city’s original and best-loved running event! It's a party from start to finish with a high-energy soundtrack and live music. Over 99% of Manchester runners say they’d recommend it to a friend.
  • Sun 26 May
  • £49
  • 14 charities
Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

Great Manchester Run Half Marathon

The city’s original and best-loved running event! It's a party from start to finish with a high-energy soundtrack and live music. Over 99% of Manchester runners say they’d recommend it to a friend.

  • 13.1 miles road running
One of the capital's favourite running events thanks to its fusion of running, music and culture and part of a weekend-long festival taking over the borough. Charity places now available for 2024.
  • Sun 19 May
  • FREE-£30
  • Entries closed
London, UK

Hackney Half Marathon

One of the capital's favourite running events thanks to its fusion of running, music and culture and part of a weekend-long festival taking over the borough. Charity places now available for 2024.

  • Entries closed
  • 13.1 miles road running
Just before the Marathon, the Half follows the same fast and flat route from the iconic castle and city sights to the coast for an explosive finish and offers genuine PB potential.
  • Sun 26 May
  • £42.25
  • Entries closed
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh Half Marathon

Just before the Marathon, the Half follows the same fast and flat route from the iconic castle and city sights to the coast for an explosive finish and offers genuine PB potential.

  • Entries closed
  • 13.1 miles road running
Take part in the world's biggest half marathon and experience the buzz, unrivalled support and cheerful crowds of this historic event. Charity places now available for 2024!
  • Sun 8 Sep
  • £64
  • 43 charities
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK

Great North Run

Take part in the world's biggest half marathon and experience the buzz, unrivalled support and cheerful crowds of this historic event. Charity places now available for 2024!

  • 13.1 miles road running
A seriously flat and rapid point-to-point course with a downhill profile along the coast to finish in the final furlong of Scotland's oldest racecourse with a grandstand finish!
  • Sun 18 Aug
  • £41.50-£43.75
  • 8 charities
Tranent, East Lothian, UK

Scottish Half Marathon

A seriously flat and rapid point-to-point course with a downhill profile along the coast to finish in the final furlong of Scotland's oldest racecourse with a grandstand finish!

  • 13.1 miles road running

A stunning central London half marathon taking in four Royal Parks and some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads. Charity places now available for 2024.
  • Sun 13 Oct
  • FREE-£41.60
  • 44 charities
London, UK

Royal Parks Half Marathon

A stunning central London half marathon taking in four Royal Parks and some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads. Charity places now available for 2024.

  • 13.1 miles road running
Sun... Sea... Running as it should be. Run along both Boscombe and Bournemouth piers on a stunning coastal route! Part of the Run Bournemouth weekend running festival.
  • Sun 13 Oct
  • £41-£48.50
  • 11 charities
Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Bournemouth Half Marathon

Sun... Sea... Running as it should be. Run along both Boscombe and Bournemouth piers on a stunning coastal route! Part of the Run Bournemouth weekend running festival.

  • 13.1 miles road running
Round off the season with a flat and fast half on fully closed roads with some of the best crowd support around and receive your chunky medal near Old Trafford.
  • Sun 13 Oct
  • £39.50
  • 11 charities
Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

Manchester Half Marathon

Round off the season with a flat and fast half on fully closed roads with some of the best crowd support around and receive your chunky medal near Old Trafford.

  • 13.1 miles road running
Fast and flat through historic streets on a two-lap course that avoids the city's hills. Voted 3rd best UK running event by the Daily Telegraph.
  • Sun 16 Mar 2025
  • £50
Bath, Somerset, UK

Bath Half Marathon

Fast and flat through historic streets on a two-lap course that avoids the city's hills. Voted 3rd best UK running event by the Daily Telegraph.

  • 13.1 miles road running
The biggest half marathon in the Netherlands and part of the Amsterdam Marathon Weekend boasting a flat, fast course and an exciting Olympic Stadium finish. Charity places now available for 2024.
  • Sun 20 Oct
  • FREE-£38
  • 3 charities
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam Mizuno Half Marathon

The biggest half marathon in the Netherlands and part of the Amsterdam Marathon Weekend boasting a flat, fast course and an exciting Olympic Stadium finish. Charity places now available for 2024.

  • 13.1 miles road running