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Meet three inspirational charity marathon runners training for something bigger than their marathon race day.
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If you ask someone training for a marathon what is more intimidating, running the marathon or fundraising for a marathon, the answer might surprise you. Based on my (not-so-scientific) Instagram story poll, the reality is most people are intimidated more by the fundraising aspect of the process. That means most runners are less intimidated by the actual training for a marathon: the running 30-60 miles a week, the aches, the blisters, the exhaustion than asking to support a cause.
The World Majors, like the Boston Marathon or the Chicago Marathon, offer a charity partner program with local charities and nonprofit organizations which allows runners pair up with participating non-profits for a race entry to raise funds. These programs are sometimes the only option to access the registration fee for these races as entries are competitive. While these programs serve the runner and charity, the entry sometimes comes with a lot of fear based on the fundraising requirements.
Why Giving Back Through Running is Important
The perception of fundraising for a marathon is you’re asking people for money. And no one likes asking for money.
I used to view fundraising for a race this way too. I remember signing up for some races completely petrified of how I was going to raise my goal. Even as a confident fundraiser, I get nervous about it sometimes about committing to fundraising requirements. The day I officially committed to fundraising to run the New York City Marathon charity program, I threw up.
From my experience fundraising for marathons, I’ve taken another approach to the challenge.
While it feels like fundraising for a marathon is asking for money it’s actually an opportunity to ask for support. By fundraising for a marathon, it’s win for you and the charity. You’re asking others to support you with your dream of running a specific race. And you’re also asking your friends to support a really great charity.
And as a bonus, you’re offering free word-of-mouth advertising for the charity.
Related Post: Fundraising shouldn’t be complicated. These simple fundraisers are easy ways to get started as a charity runner!
Making Fundraising for a Marathon Fun
As a long-time pacer and (more recently) a running coach for Chicago Endurance Sports, I’ve met so many incredible charity marathon runners every summer tackling their first marathons for a cause. I love hearing their stories, like why they chose their charity, how they’re involved and what they want to accomplish (the reality is we spend a lot of time together running all of these miles).
It’s been so much fun to share my favorite fundraisers to make asking for donations approachable and manageable. I share how they can break up their fundraising into bite-size pieces, just like they do for the miles on marathon day.
Fundraising Goals for Accountability
In the last few years, I’ve made it my personal mission to set my fundraising goals exceptionally high. For me, I’ve always seen this as an opportunity to help support my favorite charities more than I could on my own. And it’s helped me stay accountable to my fitness goals.
The heftiness of the goal gives me accountability for training and seeing the race through. And it’s always been a huge confidence boost on race day to know setting this huge goal was incredibly intimidating. At the same time, conquering the intimidation fuels me through the challenging parts of the race.
While I fundraise for my overall goal for a full year, I usually have the most momentum in the last few days. Whatever amount was left I’d refer to as my “stretch goal” and ask for donations daily to close the gap with 10 days to go. I’d keep a total of how close I was to my goal on a letter board and it would build some incredible energy for the actual race.
This year, instead of creating my own stretch goal, I wanted to offer a spotlight to other charity marathon runners and share their stories and how their raising money. What’s so impressive about each of these runners is their reasons and drive for not only committing to the marathon but also their commitment to their charities. Each of them have gone through the application process and are committed to running for a cause that has impacted them in some way.
Please consider donating to support their cause!
Related Post: If you’re looking to create connection with the running community without running a single mile, check out these tips!
Marily Angel: 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Why did you select your charity?
Life in general changes in a matter of seconds. Things appear to be good for one second & the next they happen in which most of the time we have no control of. All we can do is come together & hope for the best.
At the time I chose Imerman Angels my grandmother had already battled Ovarian Cancer & Thyroid Cancer in 2022. Diagnosed once again with Thyroid Cancer battled & went into remission as of April 2024. That was a win, win for the family after undergoing this journey with her.
Recently we found out she needed an MRI. That MRI confirmed that she not only has one but two tumors which will consist of surgery & radiation.
Things happen for a reason & we all have faith that we will all look back at this. As long as she gives it her all & shows improvement we’re all here besides her.
As well that goes for anyone in the family.
I thought running for this charity I’d be closing that chapter & be able to help others by bringing awareness & fundraising. Little did I know that I’d still be having to do it while going through all this.
Fun Facts About Marily
I ran cross- country, track & field from 2006-2010 for Mather High School. I owe it to my parents (family) & coaches for the support system that allowed me to qualify for a running scholarship to Danville, Illinois (DACC).
I thought I was a retired athlete but I was wrong. Roughly ten years later as a mother of a 4-year-old jumped back to running & I’m about to run my first ever Marathon in the city I grew up in.
Lara Winnemore: 2024 TCS New York City Marathon
Why did you select your charity?
I chose a cancer charity because I felt connected to Imerman’s unique mission. I also cannot imagine anyone who doesn’t know someone who has had cancer. I personally have lost too many close family and friends to this disease.
I really connected with the mission of Imerman Angels – to ensure that no one goes through cancer alone. There is so much emphasis (rightly so) put on treatment after a diagnosis, that in my experience, there is little time to FEEL or EXPRESS what this means. That emotional support piece is not always given priority. The 1-1 support for a cancer patient by Imerman with someone who has been in their EXACT shoes (same kind of cancer even) is unique and critical.
The fact that caregivers and family can also be matched with other mentors who have been through this journey with a loved one is also so important. People need connection after a cancer diagnosis just as much as they need medical care. Our mental health is such a key component of our quality of life, even more so when battling a disease.
I like that Imerman supports all cancers and is international too. If I was going to support a charity, I wanted it to mean something to people in my community. I’ve run a few other marathons, including an Ironman, but at this stage in my running journey after 17 years, I wanted something bigger than myself to focus on, so that’s why I decided to support Imerman Angels. When I think about the real struggles that someone going through cancer is dealing with, it changed my perspective.
Running is a gift that I don’t take for granted.
Fun Facts About Lara
I actually really like Dad jokes. Send them my way and I will roll on the floor laughing making any “Dad” feel validated! Fun fact: I was also a one-time hand model.
On a more serious note, I had a moderate traumatic brain injury when my kids were 2 and 4 years old (they are now young adults) that changed the trajectory of my life. It’s given me a perspective on life where I take nothing for granted – I try to focus on all the ways my life is full, vs the things that I lost, and I try to cultivate gratitude every day (easier said than done sometimes). I know what it’s like to have to face challenges and create a new normal.
Life may not go back to what it was, but it can still be good. I constantly remind myself of this during the ongoing trials and tribulations of training for a marathon and for Ironmans, and it really helps me to keep pushing through and not give up when I face setbacks. (Like currently – I recently wiped out most epically on a training run and injured my knee and had to take several weeks off training – but I’m still going to finish my marathon! Even if I have to walk the whole thing ❤️ )
Sherilyn Auerbach: 2025 TCS London Marathon
Why did you select your charity?
I’m a special education teacher who works with students with autism and OAR is the only organization that funds applied autism research, meaning the research is done in real-life settings rather than labs.
My students mean the world to me and my biggest goal is for them to have the best resources and quality of life – which OAR has already supported. They provide free resources to educators and the public. Running helps me be a better teacher by giving me a physical outlet and showing me I can do hard things. I’m excited to use my personal love for running to support my professional love of special education!
Fun Facts About Sherilyn
My sister and I have trained for 4 (almost 5) marathons together and we’re excited to continue that tradition for the London Marathon. Even though she works in the marketing field, she used to substitute teach at my former school.
Related Post: Ready to run for a charity? Learn how to pick the perfect charity!
Cheer for the Charity Marathon Runners
While every marathon usually has hundreds (if not thousands) of runners, each one has an individual story. We all have a “why” that gives us the drive to even consider running 26.2 miles (for fun) and raising money. Please consider making a donation to these charity marathon runners for good luck and celebration of the training season!
What charities are you wanting to see more charity marathon runners represented? What profit organizations should we know about that raises money by matching donor support? Love this post about charity marathon runners? Share it!
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