It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.
My Topic for today is: Ways to Give Back (to Running)
When I think about what running has given to me, I am overwhelmed.
When I think about how much money I spend on running and there are people who have very little or are too sick to run, I feel guilty or even greedy.
Maybe it’s because when I work in NYC or Buffalo, I see so many homeless people on the street (and it’s winter!).
But rather than buy another running outfit, shouldn’t I give that money to someone less fortunate or contribute that money to a charity??
Maybe I am the only one who feels this way but if I am not, here’s my FIVE suggestions on how you can give back to running:
1. Donate your extra running clothes or shoes.
Check out your local store store or running club to find out where you can do this.
2. Volunteer at a race rather than run in it.
These races cannot happen without volunteers. We often take that for granted.
I bet he doesn’t want to be doing this in freezing temps.
3. When you register for a race, donate extra money to the charity it supports.
I know that races are expensive enough and we don’t feel like adding more money to the fee. So register for one less race and donate that money to a charity.
Buy one less running outfit or pair of shoes and donate to runners in need.
This is a great cause – http://stemrunning.com
Or raise money for a charity in order to run a race that you didn’t qualify for or didn’t get into the lottery for.
Everyone of us was once a beginning runner. I am also aware of the fact that some of us have coaches and want to get faster. So just find a time in your schedule when you are not training for an important race and help someone else.
GOTR is one of the many opportunities out there.
5. Push someone who cannot run for themselves.
Organizations like Team Hoyt and Ainsley’s Angels provide the opportunity for runners to pair with an rider and work together to cross the finish line.
several of my friends are part of this group
Happy Running! How about you… do you give back to running? Any other ideas to add?
My First 5K and More... 
I give back in many ways, and not just related to running. But I know that you prefer to keep your blog about running. I think you’ve covered the bases nicely.
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I do. There are lots of ways to give back. I mentor Amanda. But since Running has given us so much, I feel guilty when I spend so much money on myself. Not everyone does.
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You know, I suspect that volunteer DOES want to be there – I know when I helped out at a couple of local races, I enjoyed it, even with getting there super early, and being out in the cold. It’s fun to see a race from the other side.
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For that race, it was FREEZING!!! I have volunteered too but I usually do when it’s a race that I don’t intend to run. Because it always makes me want to be out there running it. Like you said, it’s fun to be on the other side.
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I donate my shoes but I did not know there was a way to donate old running clothes other than Goodwill, etc. I actually love volunteering at races, especially ones I’ve run before, because I think I have a good idea what goes through the runners’ minds at various spots on the course and I feel like I know how to give them the support they need.
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I can donate at the Athleta store at the mall and to the STEM program.
I don’t volunteer as much as I should at races. I’d love to volunteer at a marathon because I know they really need that support.
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These are great ideas. I try to volunteer at a race at least once a year. It makes me feel good to give back to the runners!
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I know, doesn’t it. I need to do it more often.
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These are all great! I’ve volunteered and donated but haven’t tried the others yet.
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I have a whole closet full of old shoes that I do not wear anymore. I should really donate them rather then throw them out. Just because they are not good enough to run in anymore, doesn’t mean they are not good enough to wear for people that are really in need of them.
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How true. I try not throw them away.
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This is beautiful!! There are so many ways to give back, but not everyone is aware of them. Thanks for sharing…let’s hope it brings out even more of the best in us 😉
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You’re welcome.
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This is a great post. I’ve actually decided my next big race I’m going to fundraise for this exact reason. I need to give back.
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Good for you. Raising money is hard.
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I love all of these ideas! It’s fun to be on the other side of things sometimes. I like to volunteer with my girls on the run program too
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Yes it is. The gotr program is great but it no longer fits in with my work schedule
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Thee are so many rewards from giving back, right? Love this.
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I should volunteer for a race soon. At all the races I do the volunteers are always so positive and motivating, and it totally wouldn’t run without them. You’re right that it’s an awesome way to give back.
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All great ideas! I make it a goal to volunteer for at least one race a year – it’s hard work, fun, and makes me really appreciate all that volunteers do.
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Such great ideas on ways to give back! I think I read that Grandma’s Marathon will be collecting gently used running shoes, so my son and I are planning to bring a ton!
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I love all of these! Great ways to give back!
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#4 and 5 are great ideas!
I give back with my animal rescue and care 🙂 It is a lot of time and money, so honestly I have not done that much consistently with running.
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I’d love to volunteer at an animal shelter but I would want to take them all home.
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I had an incredible experience running with Team Ronald McDonald House at last year’s Chicago Marathon. It made running my first marathon a truly meaningful experience. It meant so much to me to run with Team RMHC that I’m doing so again this year.
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I’ve running a maaton fo charity is great. I know women runners who do Team in Training. Kudos to you for raising all that money.
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These are great ideas. I usually donate my old shoes and volunteer once in a while. I support other runners in my MRTT group, but I’m not great about running with newbies — I’m selfish about my running time. 😦
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I usually run before if I have run with beginners. I have to maximize my time.
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I really love these ideas. I will definitely be donating some workout clothes as I have more than necessary.
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I need to do this too.
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This is a great list. Volunteering at a race would be super humbling.
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I love these ways to give back! I recently volunteered at the Houston Marathon again! It was another great experience!
I need to get some of my shoes and clothes together to donate!
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I love this post Darlene! I try to give back where I can and have done 4 of the 5 that you mention on a regular basis. Running has given me so much, I am happy to give back where I can! (and I ALWAYS thank volunteers – not every single one, mind you – as volunteering is hard work!!)
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