Running in someone's memory

Hi everyone,

I'd be very grateful if anyone can help with my query!  I've never entered a 'proper' race/marathon before, but am hoping to do so within the next year and raise money for charity while doing so.

What I would really like to do is to run the marathon in memory of a relative who has passed away and if possible, raising money for a charity selected by his parents, maybe also making the donation in his name if possible. Is this something people can do?

I'd just like to know if it's possible and how to go about it before I speak to his parents, as would hate to say to them and then find out it won't work out etc.

Thanks in advance if anyone can help! :-)

Claire

Hi Claire and welcome.

Absolutely.

I think it's the Race for Life where runners and walkers actually have the name of the person that they're running for taped to their backs. Genuinely touching.

What I would suggest is speak to your friend's parents first and find out what charity they would like to support and then contact the charity; I'm sure that they will be very happy for your help. Some charities will have pre-prepared sponsorship forms, t-shirts etc for you (some won't though and that's ok, money is tight!)

What race are you thinking of entering? How is your training going so far?

Michael

Hi Claire.

I'd definitely go ahead and do this. It sounds like a fab idea and it'd be a great achievement. Go for it!  x x

Hi Michael and Laura,

Thank you for your responses and for the warm welcome (sorry, I should probably have introduced myself on the appropriate thread first! But it's lovely to be here!).  

Thank you for the advice and encouragement.  I've not been running for a particularly long time yet, which is why I thought this would be something I would aim for over the next 6-12 months or so as my fitness continues to improve and so I have plenty of time to prepare fully.  I am still figuring out what race I should run, I just know I'd like it to be challenging for me!

I'm going to do a little more research, figure out an appropriate race and then speak to the family.  Hopefully they will think this is a nice idea! I've realised you can set up a justgiving page which is in memory of someone, so perhaps that would be a good way to do it.

Thank you again guys. Laura, I hope you don't mind me saying but I couldn't help noticing how beautiful you are! Also, Michael, as a girl from the Highlands I'm loving the kilt! lol.

Best wishes

Claire

HA HA! Glad you liked it! Where in the highlands?

Check out http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/defaultevents.asp?sp=&v=2 to find races near you. Why not book yourself onto a 5K or 5 miler as a stepping stone and to check your progress and build confidence?

I'm from a small town north of Inverness, but I live in Glasgow now for work.  What about yourself?

Thanks for the link! Going to check it out right now.  I was thinking about a 5k so will definitely give it a go.  I heard there are some running events in Glasgow in September, maybe I'll get up to a 10k by then!

Claire x

Originally from Glasgow, but I live in Liverpool now.

Find any good races?

Hi Claire,

Awww thank you - that's very kind of you to say :). Please keep us all updated on which race you decide to run. The JustGiving pages are excellent - they're really easy to use. A set one up a couple of years ago for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and their pages are really easy to manage.  x x x

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