Signing up to run for charity in a half marathon or marathon distance is truly one of the life’s most memorable experiences. Planning and training to master your marathon with Run for charity will ensure you enjoy it too! All the hard work and effort required to get you to your charity running race day will be something that you can be proud of for a lifetime. Here are our top 5 tips to ensure you enjoy the big day when it comes.

1. Enjoy the show
You’ll be seeing crowds of cheering spectators, entertainers as well as some very interesting faces and costumes around you. Enjoy the show, when times get hard, think of all the people surrounding you as being on your team – part of your tribe. Share the love, kindness and support of all who showed up to your charity running event and enjoy your moment; you are part of something very, very special.

2. Look Fear In The Face
Yes - a charity marathon distance is a long way, yes - you will need to hit your fundraising target for your chosen charity, yes – it will hurt sometimes. And so on. Mental barriers, voices in your head as well as stresses and anxieties must be confronted head on and definitely before your charity running event. You’re your fears, confront any anxieties before race day. You are epic and you’ve made it this far; you have already overcome so many obstacles, so face those fears and make a plan for success – you got this one tiger!

3. The gift of giving….
Is far better than receiving – so they say. Well on marathon day this is so true. Help people. There will be so many other runners attending the marathon for so many different reasons. Respect your fellow runners and always remember to help anyone in need. You are all on the same marathon journey so support each other, when you can – smile. Offer positivity and encouragement to anyone who needs it. You will just know if you see someone in need – charity runners are very clever and privy to a secret code.

4. Always Look On The Bright side Of Life
At your charity marathon, remember no matter what happens in your race, focus on the positive, and if you cannot find one, try this – Whatever the outcome I have committed to a epic goal and in the meantime brought awareness and funding to my charity. You can always turn a situation or feeling around around – whatever the circumstance.

5. Be Present
We know you have heard this buzz word over an over again but it is one of the most important. Always remember, remember you took this on to challenge for yourself& for your chosen charity, and everyone involved wants you to enjoy the experience! You wanted to be a charity runner, you wanted this place in your marathon for charity – welcome to the hall of fame. Relish the experience and try to enjoy every minute – even the hard bits. Graciously accept the cheers & hand out high-5’s to anyone you can, smile & remember what a privilege it is to be running on behalf of your charity. You have done good kid!