HSF have released several blogs recently where we suggest that it’s easier to train if you have a race or event in the diary to keep you motivated, you also need to achieve some enjoyment from the activity as well. There is a stat that says 80% of new gym goers will give up going within 5 months.
So with that in mind, why not kick off 2021 by combining exercise with an opportunity to raise some funds for a charity and also visit a new place or try something different.
Working towards a goal or a new challenge will help keep you on track, especially if you have raised lots of money and now have the accountability of your friends asking how you are getting on. It really is a win / win for you and the charity.
If you can select a different activity as well, then it’s going to be exciting and will help to keep yourself engaged with the event.
We have compiled a list of charity events for walking, running, swimming and biking which are hopefully going to take place this year. There are lots to choose from, so this is just a small selection.
Walk
· Easter Challenge, Windsor – 10 April 2021 / Entry £5 or £10 / Fundraising target £245 or £395 / Charity British Heart Foundation
· Brecon Beacons – 13 or 26 miles – 3rd July 2021 – Alzheimer’s Society – cost £20 / £25 - Fundraising target £200/£300
· Jurassic Coast – 15th and 16th May 2021 / Entry £5 / Sponsorship unknown / Chairty Marie Curie
· Snowdonia Night Trek 1 – 5th and 6th June 2021 / Entry £40 / Sponsorship unknown / Charity Marie Curie
· Yorkshire Three Peaks Trek – 26th Jun 2021 / Entry £30 / Sponsorship unknown / Charity Marie Curie
· Peak District pick your path – 24th Jul 2021 / Entry 30 / Sponsorship unknown / Charity Marie Curie
· Whitby Coastal trek – 4th Sept 2021 / Entry £30 / Sponsorship unknown / Charity Marie Curie
· Ben Nevis – 26th Sept 2021 / Entry 30 / Sponsorship unknown / Charity Marie Curie
· Hadrian’s Wall Hike – 4th&6th June 2021 / Entry £95/ sponsorship £690 / Charity Mind
· Three Peaks Challenge – 11th to 13th June 2021 / Entry £75 / Sponsorship £795 / Charity Mind
· Gower Penninsula 13 miles – 10h July 2021 / Entry £20 / Sponsorship £250 / Charity MacMillan
· The Frontline walk (France and Belgium) 100km – 6-17th October 2021 / Entry £150 / Sponsorship £1,250 / Charity – The Soldiers charity
Run
· London Crystal Palace 10k – 2nd May 2021
· Brighton 10k – 12th September 2021 - £5 to enter / Sponsorship £150 – Charity NSPCC
· Edinburgh 10k – 29th/30th May £10 to enter / Sponsorship £150 - Charity NSPCC
· Great Manchester Run -23rd May £10 / Sponsorship £150 / Charity NSPCC
· Great Scottish Run 10k – 3rd October 2021 / Entry £10 / Sponsorship £150 / Charity NSPCC
· Newport 10k – 18th April 2021 / Entry £5 / Sponsorship £150 / Charity NSPCC
· Run Bournemouth 10k – 9th October 2021 / Entry £10 / Sponsorship £150 / Charity NSPCC
· Cardiff Bay Run – 23rd May 2021 / Entry £5 / Sponsorship £100 / Charity British Heart Foundation
Swim
· Swim 22 – 22April to 22 July 2021 / Entry free / Sponsorship £250 / Charity – diabetes.org.uk
· Padstow to Rock – 7 aug 2021 / Entry £35 / Sponsorship £as much as you can / Charity MarieCurie
· Great Northern Swim – 4th June 2021 / Entry free / Sponsorship £150 / Charity – join the Christie against cancer
· Swim the Serpentine – 18th September 2021 / Charity – Children with Cancer
· Western Solent Swim, 2021 (3 miles) – 11th September 2021 / Charity – Aspire (Spinal injury charity)
· Bournemouth Pier to Pier swim – 3/4th July 2021 / Entry £30 / Fundraising £250 / Charity – British Heart foundation
· Drake’s Island Swim – 27th June 2021 / Entry £35 / Fundraising £50 / Chairty – The chestnut appeal for Mens Health
· Burgh Island Swim – 19th Sept 2021 / Entry £30 / Fundraising £50 / Charity – The Chestnut appeal for Men’s Health
Bike
· London to Brighton off Road Bike Ride – 4th Sept 2021 / Entry £50 / Frundraising £250 / Charity British Heart Foundation
· Etape Caledonia, Pitolchry – 16th May 2021 / entry £20, £40, £60 / Fundraising £150, £350, £650 / Charity Marie Curie
· The Somme (Ostend to Compiegne) – 6-12 June 2021 / Entry £199 / Fundraising £2,775 / Charity Help for Heroes
· Wheels on the western front – ride to Arnhem – 5th to 10th Sept / Entry £250 / Fundraising £1,375 / Chairty – Wheels on the Western Front
· Lands end to John O’Groats – 24th Aug 2021 / Entry £349 / Fundraising £3000 / Charity – Against Breast cancer
· London to Paris – 2nd Jun 2021 / Entry £125 / Fundraising £1,640 / Charity – Against Breast cancer
· Fred Whitton Challenge, Lake District – 9th May 2021 / Entry – reserve list / Fundraising / Charity – Fred Whitton
Summary
Having a challenge to train/motivate for is a really good way to along with the charity element is a really good way to get fit and give back to your community.
Brett’s view: To keep me motivated I have the Royal Parks half marathon planned in April to keep me going through these dark long cold days. I am planning to raise money for a charity as well.
David’s view: I have signed up to the Breacon Beacon Walk with my wife, I am interested in a couple of these events, especially the open water swims. I think it’s a great way to get fit by combining a charity event with a challenge and visiting somewhere new in your own country.