Choose the charity event you are most likely to enjoy and complete: running suits people who want a faster-paced challenge and have time to prepare; walking is a valid choice if you prefer a walking format or a slower pace. Neither guarantees a particular fundraising total. Your cause, available events, schedule, accessibility needs, health considerations, and the event’s terms matter more than the activity’s label.
Running and walking compared
Both are established charity-event formats. Charity listings include running events from 5K to marathons, as well as walking events and challenges. What is available depends on the charity and location.
| Factor | Running | Walking |
|---|---|---|
| Pace and format | A faster-paced challenge; choose it if the effort appeals to you and you have time to prepare. | A walking format at a slower pace; distances and terrain vary by event. |
| Event examples | Charities list options such as 5K, 10K, half marathons, and marathons, depending on location and availability. | Charities list walking challenges and treks; check the specific distance and route. |
| Fundraising figures | JustGiving reported an average of £940 per running-event page in 2024. | JustGiving reported an average of £388 per walk page in 2024. |
| What the figures mean | These are averages across pages on JustGiving’s platform, reported in its 2025 report. They are not forecasts or guaranteed personal results, and they do not show that one activity causes an individual to raise more. | |
| Practical checks | Distance, training resources, registration fee, and any conditions attached to a charity place. | Distance, terrain, accessibility, event support, registration fee, and any fundraising conditions. |
In JustGiving’s 2025 report on its 2024 platform data, running and marathons accounted for 43% of sporting event fundraising pages and 59% of donations; walks accounted for 33% of pages and 14% of donations. These are platform-specific shares, not an individual fundraising forecast. Read JustGiving’s 2025 Charity Event Fundraising Toolkit.
How to decide which activity suits you
- Start with the cause. Pick the charity you want to support, then check what events and places it currently offers. British Red Cross lists running events and a walking event; Age UK lists running events and walking challenges. See British Red Cross charity running and Age UK’s running events.
- Match the format to your preferences and preparation time. Consider the pace, distance, route or terrain, and the time you can give to preparation. Charities offer different event formats and different levels of support.
- Check the current event terms before committing. Compare the entry fee, fundraising target, event date, route, and cancellation or transfer terms on the event page. These details vary by event; examples on charity sites are not universal rules. Check Diabetes UK’s fundraising events.
- Decide how you will enter. Some charities offer places in events; others support people who already have a place or want to create their own challenge. Confirm which applies to your chosen event and what obligations come with a charity place.
- Account for individual needs. Consider accessibility and any health concerns when assessing a route and activity. If you have a health condition or are unsure whether an activity is suitable for you, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional; the cited sources do not compare the medical risks of running and walking.
How charity-event fundraising typically works
The details vary, but the usual sequence is to choose and register for an event, select a charity, create an online fundraising page, prepare for the event, share the page, and collect donations. JustGiving describes this process for charity runs; other event and fundraising platforms may differ. See JustGiving’s charity-run guidance.
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General run-preparation guidance mentions comfortable running gear, hydration, and a training plan. Age UK provides free training plans and fundraising guides to its runners. Check your event’s own instructions for route-specific requirements; a reusable water bottle is only relevant if it suits the event arrangements and your needs. JustGiving’s run-preparation guidance.
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