Marathon runners done a runner?

There’s an interesting blog post on the third sector website by Lucy Caslon, founder and director of Msizi Africa, a charity feeding orphans in Southern Africa

She says if you take a place in a marathon and don't raise what you pledge, then you should pay the rest yourself.

 

I agree and disagree.  In the cases Lucy shared, it's clear that the charity put in the effort with the runners.  However, there are cases though where runners feel isolated and disengaged and so don't bother, and this is where the extra costs of running places exist – managing your running ‘team’.

 

Engaging the runners in the cause is key.  I know of plenty of charities with runners in other events who each raise little if anything, but it's seen as a success because they have so many runners that the overall figure is strong.

 

The best running fundraisers tend to be those that are doing the challenge because they really want to raise the money first.

 

Of course, sometimes life takes over and good intentions fade - but it's the charity's responsibility to give a bit of love - and sometimes tough love - to their runners.

 

For one of my most successful running teams we held a team briefing, early on, where training tips were shared, along with some stories of what the runners efforts would be achieving when they hit their targets.

 

I had set targets, unlike the other charities in the same race.  Our limited numbers of places cost us money, and the runners knew we needed to make that back, and make more besides.

 

I did have one person who I thought was likely to drop out, so I just spoke to them directly – “if you think you’re not going to manage, don’t feel bad, but tell me now as I have a waiting list of other people who would love a place.”  In the end that seemed to help show the value of what they were doing and they beat their target.

 

From that event we raised 70% as much as another charity that had more than 5 times as many runners.

 

Lucy said that her ‘runners’ ignored calls and emails, and to me, there would be a point when a letter goes out saying “you’ve got a week to contact us, or the place goes to someone else (worded a bit differently)”.  In the case Lucy gave of the banker, food company and celebrity, I’d be tempted to send an invoice!

 

Having said that there’s a balance to strike.  Sometimes people do put in the effort, but simply fail to make it – my credit card certainly couldn’t take a £2000 hit – and in my view it’s wrong to contractually oblige someone to that.  

 

I think a target and underlining the moral obligation is a neater balance.  Perhaps a deposit to cover the costs so that worst case, you’re not out of pocket.  It also helps with transparency.  Some people still think that charities get their places in events like the London Marathon for free.  (We WISH)  If your runner knows that it’s cost you £1000, so you want them to raise £3000 and put down a deposit for the £1000 they get a better picture of how the charity works and what you’re facing.

 

Or am I wrong?  Runners, marathoners, sponsored cyclers and abseilers.  What do you think?

Posted via email from mikemuses's posterous