Run a marathon for charity

Whether it's your first or fifth marathon, entering a 26.2-mile race on behalf of a charity will elevate your experience and add meaning to the hard miles in training! This guide will help you find a charity place and understand what it means to run a marathon for charity.

TCS London Marathon

Running a marathon is a cornerstone challenge in the running world, with thousands of people taking part in marathon races across the UK each year. Completing a marathon and earning your medal is almost a rite of passage into the endurance running community, making it an experience that sits high on most runners' bucket lists. To help you reach the finish line and make the most of your experience, consider running a marathon for charity.

Marathon running and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand these days. Head to a major event like the TCS London Marathon and you'll be hard-pressed to avoid someone wearing a charity t-shirt or in full fancy dress, dedicating their 26.2 miles to a good cause. In fact, the London Marathon raises millions of pounds for charity each year, with the total fundraising over the past decade reaching nearly Β£250 million. While these events are clearly a huge benefit to charities, committing to fundraising also gives you as a runner some huge advantages, too.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to run a marathon, whether you're a beginner runner or seasoned vet, committing to run for charity will elevate your event experience. Here, we outline the reasons why you should run for charity, how it will benefit you as a runner and list some of the best marathons in the UK and abroad with charity places available now. Let's get to it!

Why run for charity?

Committing to raise money for charity changes your marathon experience from a solo venture to a community project, with you supporting a worthy cause and the charity supporting your effort in return. While some people prefer to focus solely on their own performance, joining a charity team can give you access to some superb training advice and resources to help you prepare for your marathon.

Clearly, a charity will benefit from your fundraising - that's kind of the point of them providing places in marathons, after all. It can be useful, though, to know exactly how the money you raise will support that organisation. Many charities rely completely on volunteers, donations and fundraising to provide their services, including major charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, who are 98% funded by voluntary donations.

In practical terms, that means the money you raise will help them to provide services like the Macmillan Support Line, support care workers in looking after cancer patients, research cancer care and campaign for better policies for people affected by cancer. Knowing the tangible effects of your fundraising can help to motivate your training for your marathon!

Run for charity in the London Marathon
TCS LONDON MARATHON
Major events like the London Marathon have a wide range of charity places available.

How do you get a charity place?

While marathons and charities clearly have a very close relationship, many people are unsure how to go about getting a charity place in an event. While getting a place is not guaranteed, finding and applying to a charity is simple.

Charities are awarded places in a marathon by the race organiser, with the size of the event and the size of the charity determining how many places they are given. In a major marathon like the adidas Manchester Marathon, for example, a wide range of local and national charities are awarded places. You can apply to a charity place as soon as the date for the event has been announced and, in events where there is a ballot for general entries, charity places become the only way to join in once the ballot has closed.

The process is 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.

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. At the TCS London Marathon, for example, charities can ask for a minimum of Β£2,000; at the Edinburgh Marathon, it's more likely to be around Β£500. In return for those funds, you will gain access to a range of services and benefits to help you complete your marathon.

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 in your marathon, 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 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.

  • 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 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 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.

virtual tcs london marathon
VIRTUAL TCS LONDON MARATHON
Plenty of marathons have charity places available, including virtual ones!

Marathons with charity places

You may have a particular marathon in mind or a specific charity that you would like to raise money for, but if you're looking generally for a charity place in a marathon, this is where to start!

Take on the ‘classic Jurassic’ scenery, coastal sights and tough climbs of this marathon-distance challenge along the stunning coastal path whilst enjoying full support along the way.
  • Sat 17 May
Weymouth, Dorset, UK

Weymouth Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Jurassic Coast Challenge Weymouth Marathon today. Walk, jog or run a marathon and support top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 42 km trail running + 1100 m ascent
Part of the London 2 Brighton Ultra weekend, run, jog or walk from Turners Hill through wonderful Sussex countryside up & over the testing South Downs before coastal views to Brighton Racecourse.
  • Sat 24 - Sun 25 May
Crawley, West Sussex, UK

Sussex Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge 2nd Half Sussex Marathon today. Walk, jog or run and support top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 42 km trail running + 700 m ascent
The UK’s favourite 24-hour trail race! Epic, Brutal, Relentless. Race against the clock to tackle as many laps of the iconic course as you can. How far can you go in 24 hours?
  • Sat 7 - Sun 8 Jun
  • 4 charities
Reading, Berkshire, UK

Endure24 | Reading charity places

The UK’s favourite 24-hour trail race! Epic, Brutal, Relentless. Race against the clock to tackle as many laps of the iconic course as you can. How far can you go in 24 hours?

  • 24 hrs multi terrain running
Entries close today
Start from Kendal Base Camp, head up the Longsleddale Valley, over the testing Garburn Pass with stunning 360 views towards Windermere and then on to Ambleside and Rydal's Water's edge.
  • Sat 7 Jun
  • Entries close today
Kendal, Cumbria, UK

Lakes Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Lake District Ultra Challenge today. Walk, jog or run a marathon for charity and support top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 42 km trail running + 1200 m ascent
The north's favourite 24-hour trail race! Epic, Brutal, Relentless. Race against the clock to tackle as many laps of the iconic course as you can. How far can you go in 24 hours?
  • Sat 28 - Sun 29 Jun
  • 3 charities
Wetherby, West Yorkshire, UK

Endure24 | Leeds charity places

The north's favourite 24-hour trail race! Epic, Brutal, Relentless. Race against the clock to tackle as many laps of the iconic course as you can. How far can you go in 24 hours?

  • 24 hrs multi terrain running
A classic distance from Penrice Castle on a loop featuring Oxwich Bay and its nature reserve, the stunning Wales Coast Path, picnic at Rhossili, the Gower Way then a celebration and medal!
  • Sat 19 Jul
  • 7 charities
Swansea, West Glamorgan, UK

Gower Peninsula Ultra Challenge | Marathon 42K Loop charity places

Secure your charity place in the Gower Peinsula Ultra Challenge Marathon 42K Loop today. Walk, jog or run and support top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 42 km multi terrain running + 900 m ascent
Run 'The world's most scenic marathon' through London's greenest borough including Richmond Bridge and the Tow Path. Start inside the Kew Gardens with family fun music festival to finish!
  • Sun 14 Sep
  • 2 charities
Richmond, UK

Richmond RUNFEST Marathon charity places

Run 'The world's most scenic marathon' through London's greenest borough including Richmond Bridge and the Tow Path. Start inside the Kew Gardens with family fun music festival to finish!

  • 26.2 miles road running
A world record-breaking road race around a historic city on a route featuring the Brandenburg Gate and iconic sights. Now in its 51st year!
  • Sun 21 Sep
Berlin, Germany

BMW Berlin Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Berlin Marathon today. Run for charity in the world’s fastest marathon while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
One of the most stunning marathons in the world following a point to point route alongside the world-famous loch, starting in the atmospheric moorlands to a festival finish!
  • Sun 28 Sep
  • 3 charities
Inverness, Highland, UK

Loch Ness Marathon Running Festival | Loch Ness Marathon charity places

One of the most stunning marathons in the world following a point to point route alongside the world-famous loch, starting in the atmospheric moorlands to a festival finish!

  • 26.2 miles road running
A multi-award winning event and three-time winner of the UK's Best Marathon (up to 5,000 runners) as well as the UK’s only international marathon from the historic Roman/Medieval City of Chester!
  • Sun 5 Oct
  • 6 charities
Chester, Cheshire, UK

MBNA Chester Marathon charity places

A multi-award winning event and three-time winner of the UK's Best Marathon (up to 5,000 runners) as well as the UK’s only international marathon from the historic Roman/Medieval City of Chester!

  • 26.2 miles road running
The 47th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! A world-class running event returning to the streets of Chicago this autumn.
  • Sun 12 Oct
  • 2 charities
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Bank of America Chicago Marathon charity places

The 47th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! A world-class running event returning to the streets of Chicago this autumn.

  • 26.2 miles road running
Starting and finishing in the historic Olympic Stadium, this is the fourth fastest marathon in the world and known for its flat, fast, historic course.
  • Sun 19 Oct
  • 9 charities
Amsterdam, Netherlands

TCS Amsterdam Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the TCS Amsterdam Marathon today. Run for charity in one of the world’s fastest marathons while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
Secure your charity place in the Yorkshire Marathon today. Experience historic streets, beautiful countryside and Yorkshire Spirit while running for charity. Find a cause and join their team today!
  • Sun 19 Oct
  • 13 charities
York, North Yorkshire, UK

Yorkshire Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Yorkshire Marathon today. Experience historic streets, beautiful countryside and Yorkshire Spirit while running for charity. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
Europe's 5th largest marathon follows a city centre lap perfect for marathon running. Much-loved and always oversubscribed, it's super-friendly and unmissable.
  • Sun 26 Oct
  • 4 charities
Dublin, Ireland

Irish Life Dublin Marathon charity places

Europe's 5th largest marathon follows a city centre lap perfect for marathon running. Much-loved and always oversubscribed, it's super-friendly and unmissable.

  • 26.2 miles road running
The fourth fastest marathon in the world! An ideal circuit for achieving a PB in perfect temperatures with an incomparable backdrop too.
  • Sun 7 Dec
  • 1 charity
València, Spain

Valencia Marathon charity places

The fourth fastest marathon in the world! An ideal circuit for achieving a PB in perfect temperatures with an incomparable backdrop too.

  • 42 km road running
One of the largest marathons on the planet over a flat course in one of the world's most iconic cities, the Paris Marathon boasts an incomparable backdrop.
  • Sun 12 Apr 2026
  • 4 charities
Paris, France

Schneider Electric Paris Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Paris Marathon today. Run for charity in one of the world’s largest marathons while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
The UK's third largest marathon, boasting a new and beautiful seaside course with superb local support, making it a truly sensational running experience.
  • Sun 12 Apr 2026
  • 11 charities
Brighton, East Sussex, UK

Brighton Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Brighton Marathon today. Run for charity in this beautiful seaside event while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running + 447 ft ascent
Experience the UK’s friendliest and flattest major marathon with huge crowd support on a route with PB potential plus chunky medals and relay options.
  • Sun 19 Apr 2026
  • 4 charities
Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

adidas Manchester Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the Manchester Marathon today. Run for charity in one of the UK's flattest marathons while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
Be part of the world’s biggest marathon and earn the coveted finisher’s medal and New Balance T-shirt by taking on the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay.
  • Sun 26 Apr 2026
Anywhere

TCS London Marathon MyWay charity places

Secure your charity place in the TCS London Marathon MyWay today. Run for charity on a route of your choice while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running
Secure your charity place in the TCS London Marathon today. Run for charity in the world’s most popular marathon while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!
  • Sun 26 Apr 2026
  • 1 charity
London, UK

TCS London Marathon charity places

Secure your charity place in the TCS London Marathon today. Run for charity in the world’s most popular marathon while supporting top UK charities. Find a cause and join their team today!

  • 26.2 miles road running + 266 ft ascent
This 2-lap marathon course offers a spectacular route including green parks, shoreline and riverside views, starting and finishing at the iconic Southampton Guildhall.
  • Sun 3 May 2026
Southampton, Hampshire, UK

ABP Southampton Marathon charity places

This 2-lap marathon course offers a spectacular route including green parks, shoreline and riverside views, starting and finishing at the iconic Southampton Guildhall.

  • 26.2 miles road running
Experience Edinburgh's festival of running on Bank Holiday weekend! With nine distances on offer there's something for everyone - come and smash your PB at the marathon, previously voted UK's fastest!
  • Sat 23 - Sun 24 May 2026
Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh Marathon Festival charity places

Experience Edinburgh's festival of running on Bank Holiday weekend! With nine distances on offer there's something for everyone - come and smash your PB at the marathon, previously voted UK's fastest!

  • Marathon 2
  • Half marathon
  • 10K run
  • 5K run
  • Fun run 4