Benefits of a Fun Run? 10 Reasons To Join
Fun runs are great because they get people outside and active. They also provide an excellent opportunity to raise awareness for charities and causes.
But most importantly, fun runs are a great way to MEET new people and build friendships.
Not to forget that running is a great way to promote health and fitness.
In fact, running has become such a massive part of our culture that even celebrities like Beyoncé and Justin Bieber have joined the fun.
There are many BENEFITS to running, and there are even more benefits to participating in a fun run event.
Why Join a Fun Race
Here are 10 reasons why you should consider joining a fun race:
1. Socializing: Running isn’t just about getting fit; it’s also about meeting new friends.
Many runners enjoy spending time at races with their family and friends, especially during birthdays and holidays.
2. You Can Win Prizes!: You can win prizes for finishing in first place, second best, etc. Some events give away more than just clothing as well. Many Fun Runs give you a complimentary t-shirt.
3. No Membership Fees: Sure, there may be an entry fee into certain races, but you don’t need to worry about paying monthly payments once you pay for the race itself.
Even better, most events offer discounts for race memberships, so there’s no reason not to join up!
4. Running Clubs: There are tons of local running clubs that host weekly runs and other social activities. Check with your local running club to see what they offer.
5. Better Sleep: One study found that runners get BETTER SLEEP than non-runners. This could be due to the increased activity level during the day.
Another study found that runners slept longer than non-runners. Either way, running seems to help you relax and unwind.
6. Stress Relief: Research shows that running reduces stress levels. The act of running releases endorphins, which make us happy.
Plus, when we run, we tend to think more positively about ourselves and life in general.
7. Exercise: Running is an excellent form of exercise. Not only does it burn calories, but it strengthens muscles and increases flexibility.
8. Weight Loss: According to research, running burns around 300 extra calories per hour. So if you ran for 30 minutes every day, you could lose 1 pound per week (but you need to take care of your eating habits too!).
9. Staying Healthy: Regular physical activity keeps your body strong and PREVENTS injuries.
10. Raising Money For Charity: Running events RAISE MONEY for charities all over the world. From helping children in Africa to fighting cancer, these charity-run events benefit everyone involved.
Fun Run Costume Ideas
You might wear technical running clothing when participating in the typical 5K. For fun runs, running-specific attire isn’t required.
Wearing a funny costume is highly recommended. For example, the Bay to Breakers Race in San Francisco is known for its costumes. Ever since a participant crossed the finish line in a Captain Kidd costume in 1940, the idea has grown in popularity.
Some things to note about costume choice:
Temperature: Costumes are typically not breathable. They might work fine when you are standing still, but when you start running… The gorilla suit in hot weather is not a good idea.
Body Paint: Avoid painting your face as it could run and hinder sweat, causing overheating.
Masks: Wearing a mask while running can make breathing difficult. Before the race, try it out.
Sweat: Sweat may cause your costume to fall apart or stick to you.
Here are some costume ideas to get you started:
1. Wear a funny hat. Choose a silly hat that will draw attention to your face.
2. Wear a superhero cape. It’s easy to dress up as a superhero when you wear a cape.
3. Wear tutus, which are popular among girls and women. They come in different colors and styles.
4. Wear an animal costume. Animal lovers love costumes featuring animals.
5. Wear a tiara. A tiara is a crown worn by royalty. It comes in many shapes and styles.
6. Wear a mask. Masks are used to hide faces. Pick a scary mask to scare people.
7. Wear a pirate outfit. Pirates are known for dressing in black and white. Dress up as a pirate for a Halloween party.
8. Wear a superhero suit. Superheroes are well known for their colorful outfits. Wear a superhero suit to a comic book convention.
9. Wear a wizard’s robe. Wizards are known for their robes. Wear a wizard’s outfit to a Harry Potter event.
10. Wear a sports team uniform. Sports teams often have uniforms. Wearing a sports team uniform helps you raise funds for a charity.
Note About Color Runs: You can use old clothes from your closet or something new that you plan to use solely for color fun runs (color runs work best in clothing you don’t mind getting dirty). Wearing white clothing makes the color powder pop. Bandanas and sunglasses help keep powder out of your nose, mouth, and eyes.
Choosing A Charity To Run For
Challenge yourself, get fit, and raise awareness and funds for a great cause.
With Fun Runs, you can do something great for yourself while doing something good for others by raising money for charities.
Running charity races lets you support any cause close to your heart.
To choose a charity to support, consider these questions:
- What do I want to accomplish?
- What would be most meaningful to me?
- How much money am I willing to donate?
- Do I know anyone else who could benefit from my donation?
- Is there someone close to me who needs my help?
- How often do I need to give?
- Can I make monthly donations?
- Will giving effort and money once a year work?
- Do I have any other options besides donating money?
- Could I volunteer my time instead?
If you decide to run for a specific cause, here are some suggestions:
- First, choose an organization that is active and has a good reputation.
- When selecting a charity, it’s essential to make sure you believe in the cause. This means that you must genuinely care about the issue being addressed.
- It’s also essential to find a charity that aligns with your values. If you disagree with the mission statement of a particular charity, look elsewhere.
- Consider the amount of money you plan to raise. Some charities require large amounts of money to succeed. Others accept smaller donations.
- Find a charity that matches your interests and skills. For example, if you like working with children, consider volunteering with a child advocacy group. Or, if you enjoy cooking, visit a food bank.
- Find a charity that offers something unique. Many charities provide similar services, but one may offer more value than another.
- Consider how long you plan to participate. Some charities only allow people to fundraise for a short period. Be careful not to commit to a project that won’t last.
- Think about what you can do to help the charity. For example, you might be able to organize a fundraiser or write a letter to the editor.
Fun Races You Can Run for a Good Cause
Here are some examples of charity races for good causes:
The Susan G. Komen Race is the world’s largest fundraising event for breast cancer. Runners and walkers of all fitness levels can participate in this event.
Run for the Water is a 10-mile and 5K race in Austin. It supports citizens in one of the world’s poorest countries. Gazelle Foundation supports the race and is dedicated to providing Burundians with clean water.
Parkinson’s Half Marathon, 5K, 1K Walk, and kid’s run are held in September in Cottage Grove, WI. It raises funds and awareness for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA). The symptoms of Parkinson’s – slowness, stiffness, and poor balance – can be slowed by regular exercise.
Donating Money
There are many ways to contribute to a charity. Here are some ideas:
- Make a cash gift: Give $25, $50, or even $100 at a time. Your contribution will go directly toward the charity.
- Match gifts: Match gifts are contributions made by companies whose employees match their employees’ donations.
- Sponsor a race: Sponsor a race that benefits a charity.
- Sponsor a walkathon: Sponsorships are available for walkathons, which are events where participants walk a certain distance.
- Volunteer: Volunteer your time to support a charity.
- School: You can promote community and school spirit and raise money by organizing a fun run for your school.
How To Train For A Fun Run
Training for a fun run should also be enjoyable. This is not the same thing as running a marathon.
The typical distance of a fun run is 5K, the same as the standard 5K run distance (5K is 3.1 miles).
But you can see a big difference between a fun run and a timed 5K run!
- In fun runs, participants enjoy a sense of community and camaraderie.
- On a timed 5K run, you usually try to get your personal best time.
- Beginners can easily finish 5K fun runs without that much training. A fun run doesn’t require running at all; you can simply walk through it.
- For runners with advanced skills, there are also longer fun runs.
To train for a fun run:
5K: If you’re training for a 5K, walk briskly for 20 minutes two days per week. Then increase the duration of each session until you complete 3.1-miles.
10K: If you’re preparing for a 10K, walk briskly on flat surfaces for 15 minutes twice per week. Add one minute to each interval as you progress through the program.
Half marathon: If you’re training for a half marathon, try walking briskly for 30 minutes four days per week.
Then, increase the number of walks each week until you complete 13.1 miles (half of the length of a full marathon).
Exercise Regularly: When you begin exercising regularly, it may take several weeks before your body adapts to exercise. As a result, you should feel more tired after completing your workout than before starting.
Stay Hydrated: Be sure to drink plenty of water while you exercise. Water helps keep your muscles hydrated.
Eat Healthily: If you plan to participate in a fun run, eat a healthy diet before beginning your workouts. Eat foods high in protein and low in fat. Avoid overeating sugar or fried food.
Warm-Up: Before participating in a fun run, know how to properly warm up and cool down. Warm up first with light activities such as walking, stretching, or jumping rope.
After warming up, gradually increase your intensity level. Cool down by doing gentle stretches and slow movements.
Running Gear: When preparing for a fun run, remember to wear comfortable clothes specifically designed for running.
You can use a heart rate monitor to track your fitness levels. The monitor will tell you when you need to rest.
You can also use a watch to help you measure your performance. For example, some watches display your pulse rate, calories burned, and other statistics.
The Benefits Of Running
There are lots of benefits to running, but let’s take a closer look at the top five:
1. Lowering Blood Pressure: While studies have shown that walking is equally effective at lowering blood pressure, running can further reduce it.
2. Improving Mood: Studies show that people who regularly participate in aerobic exercise have higher mood scores.
In addition, running improves brain function by increasing oxygen flow to the brain.
3. Running lowers cholesterol and helps prevent certain conditions.
4. Strengthening Bones: Running builds bone density, making bones stronger.
Running Tips & Tricks
Here are some helpful hints on how to get started running:
1. Start Slow: If you’re new to running, start out slowly (slower than you think!). You should WALK for 20 minutes before trying to run.
Once you’ve built up some endurance, try running for 5 minutes. Then, gradually build up your speed until you reach a comfortable pace.
2. Warm-up First: Before starting a run, warm up for at least 5 minutes. Walk briskly for 3 to 4 minutes, then jog for 2 to 3 minutes (remember, slowly!).
Repeat this process two or three times.
3. Wear Proper Shoes: When buying shoes, choose ones that feel right on your feet. Then, try them on outside to ensure they fit correctly (not too fit to give your toes some space).
4. Stretch: Stretch your muscles before running. Stand against a wall and stretch your arms above your head.
Bend forward from your hips and pull your shoulders down toward your knees. Hold each stretch for 15 seconds, then repeat twice.
5. Drink Water: It’s essential to stay hydrated while exercising. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your run. Carry a water bottle on your runs with a running belt.
6. Listen To Your Body: Don’t push yourself too hard when beginning a new sport. If you feel tired, stop immediately.
7. Get Enough Sleep: Sleep deprivation causes fatigue, which makes it harder to perform well. So make sure you get seven hours of restful sleep every night.
8. Eat Regular Meals: Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day will keep your energy levels high. Avoid eating heavy meals just before bedtime.
9. Keep Track Of Your Progress: Write down your weekly mileage and record your weight. This information can help you gauge whether you’re improving as you gain fitness.
10. Have fun!: Enjoy your time running. Remember to smile and enjoy the experience.
The Bottom Line
Running a fun run can be a great way to meet new people, get fit, and raise money for a worthy cause.
It doesn’t matter whether you choose to run for yourself or someone else. You can get the benefits anyway. Just remember to keep things lighthearted. And have fun!
If you want to go more competitively, the big marathons offer plenty of options. But you can also walk a marathon if you’re not yet ready to run the whole marathon distance.
