Much has been written about the difficulties associated with training for your first marathon. Many people struggle to plan a realistic exercise regime, others lose interest when it gets cold and some can't resist the pull of the pub. As a writer and Sunday league football player, I am at least used to strict schedules, working independently – and to cold mornings. What I found difficult was the fundraising.
Should you choose to run for a charity (which is often the only way you will get a place for some of the heavily subscribed races) you will be required to raise a certain amount of money. This sum can vary greatly depending on who you team up with. I thought it would be fairly easy to pull together the £1,000 I had agreed to secure, having signed up for the Brighton Marathon on behalf of The Samaritans. Three weeks before the marathon, having raised just half of what was required, I began to worry. I had already contacted everyone I knew I could count on and now had to rely on my marketing skills to raise the other half of the money.
Initially, I had promised myself I wouldn't pester people who weren't interested. However, as the date drew nearer I began trolling Facebook, Twitter and various other social networks. To my great shame I even got in touch with friends I hadn't spoken to in years. These tactics helped me raise a further £250, bringing me within touching distance of my goal. With one week to go, I looked to The Samaritans themselves for support.
The fundraising team provided a raft of ideas, none of which required me to shed what little was left of my self-esteem. A bake sale at work brought in some extra money and didn't lose me any friends. I also adapted some of the charity's written content, including what they do and some case studies, and shared it with a selection of friends who were still holding out. It worked and I managed to meet my goal.
So, for many people, running a first marathon will also be a first step into the world of fundraising. Whereas it would be an exaggeration to say I spent as much time training as I did raising funds, I certainly spent more time doing the latter than I had expected. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. In fact, the joint satisfaction of completing a 26-mile course and raising money for a great cause made my first marathon a bit more special.
So how have you managed to cajole/bribe/beg your friends into sponsoring you? Do you have any ingenious tips to share with runners who are struggling to meet the goals – either before, or after the race?
• Michele Martinelli is a writer and amateur runner based in London. He tweets from @GreatBites. If you would like to run for The Samaritans you can find more information here.
