The good sorts who run for the good of helping others
Popular wisdom has it that running is a lonely sport for the betterment of no one but the participant. Hey, popular wisdom, you’re wrong.
Plenty of runners use their sport to help other people directly. Specifically, I’m thinking of a couple of categories of those types of runners.
And, no, I’m not one of them. I’m basically a selfish old sozzle when it comes to running.
For me, running is running. I tie up my shoes and go out the door, job done.
But that means I admire all the more those who use running to advance greater causes. So, what types of runners am I thinking of?
The fundraiser
You’ll be most familiar with this sort. Running for charity has become popular, thanks, in part, to some races actively encouraging it.
When you sign up for some events you’re asked, ‘‘do you want to support cause x by getting sponsorship?’’ Some races make fundraising one of the ways to enter.
The London Marathon, for instance, has four main ways to enter: through a ballot (you’ve virtually got a better chance of winning Lotto); buying a package as an overseas entrant; by running a qualifying time (get training, and prepare to go fast!); or as a charity runner (guarantee you’ll raise a certain amount of money).
Here in New Zealand, if you take a look on the Givealittle page you’ll see dozens of runners raising money by taking on various feats.
And there have been some formidable fundraising efforts. Malcolm Law, a legend of a runner based in Wanaka, raised more than $500,000 for the Mental Health Foundation with his 2015 challenge to run 50 peaks in 50 days.
And just this month Perry Newburn set off to run from Cape Reinga to Bluff and along the way raise money for the charity Running on the Spectrum.
I’m not even worthy of tying the shoelaces of these giants.
The leader
I’m thinking of one person in particular under this category, but in fact, what she’s doing is growing a community of other leaders.
Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967 in the
most dramatic fashion. When the race organiser twigged that she was a woman, he tried to bump her off the course – but she was shielded by other runners.
Not content with blazing the trail on the road herself, Switzer has committed her life and career to advancing the cause of women in running, including pushing for the inclusion of a women’s marathon at the Olympics.
Now she has launched Fearless 261, an organisation dedicated to connecting women to encourage them to run in a safe, supportive environment (261 was her Boston race number).
It’s a brilliant movement and is building a network of running women leaders in communities all over the world, including here.
The teacher
On the Dirt Church Radio podcast this week, we talk to trail and mountain runner Dylan Bowman, of Colorado.
Bowman has topped the podium in plenty of the world’s best trail races, but what gets him animated is talking about his work with the 1000 Mile Club, a running club with a difference.
It’s based at the San Quentin Prison, in California. Every year, Bowman and other volunteers organise a marathon with inmates running loops of the jail yard.
Bowman tells us that he firmly believes teaching these inmates about the practice of running, and the value of taking part in an activity where you can see progress through your effort, gives them tools to help them upon their release.
Now that’s some wisdom that should become popular.
Eugene Bingham and Matt Rayment are hosts of a trail running podcast Dirt Church Radio. Learn more at dirtchurchradio.com or get in touch via email dirtchurch radio@gmail.com
Running for charity has become popular, thanks, in part, to some races actively encouraging it.