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5. 5K Charity Runs

5K Charity Runs

5Km Charity Running Events

Running for charity is not only a great way of raising money and awareness for a cause close to your heart but also a brilliant reason to get active and outdoors.

If you are new to running or can't commit to training for months at a time, a 5k charity run event is a great way to start. Comprising of 3.1 miles, a 5k run will take less than an hour to complete, even if you end up walking some of it. Generally, the average time for running a 5K is around 30 minutes. You don't need months of training to run a 5K charity run; a typically healthy person should be able to start training for a 5K charity run around a month beforehand. If you have any medical conditions that may affect your running, check with your doctor first before you start your training.

5K Charity Running Events

Running is one of the best ways to quickly boost your endorphin levels and raise your heart rate to help burn excess fat, so why not feel twice the satisfaction and run for charity? A cardiovascular exercise, such as running or speed walking, makes your heart work harder as it pumps blood to your vital organs, so a short 5k charity run is an excellent way to help keep you healthy whilst doing it for a good cause. Staying active throughout the week will help to keep your mind and body healthy and running for charity is one way of maximising your efforts and giving something back to your community. There are many 5k charity runs out there, so why not sign up for one today?

One of the best ways to start running a 5K is to either join your local Park Run or sign-up for the Couch to 5k initiative. Both organisations have plenty of advice for those who want to start running, and, best of all, you are not doing it alone. New runners are signing up to these initiatives all the time, so it's likely you will find someone at the same stage as you.

If you have children and they are interested in running, then getting them started on a 5k family fun run for charity is a great way to help them keep fit, while also taking part in a family activity.

5K Charity Races

There are a number of 5K charity races in the Merseyside area, as well as across the country. Many 5K charity races allow you to choose the charity you wish to raise money for. Some longer races like 10K, half-marathons or running festivals will have 5K fun runs for families and beginners to enjoy. To find a local 5K to you, have a look on websites such as Find a race.

These include races such as:

• The Aintree 5k
• Movember Run 5k
• Tough Mudder North West 5k
• Scouse 5k
• Nottingham Christmas 5k
• Big Fun Run Birmingham, Big Fun Run Milton Keynes
• Lilford Park 5k
• Ice Lolly 5k
• Wirral Seaside 5k Runs
• Run Media City 5k
• Trent Park 5k
• Runthrough Hyde Park 5k
• Mystery Park 5k
• Abney Trail 5k
• Willowbrook Halwood 5k
• Sundown 5k @ Richmond Runfest
• Mansfield 5k
• Rivington Terraced Gardens 5k Fun Run
• Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5k
• Hatfield 5k
• The Flintshire 5K
• Leeds 5k
• Run Heaton 5k
• The Best 5k Fun Run
• Runthrough Finsbury Park Fun Run

Taking part in a 5K charity run is also a great way to help you build up for a bigger race, such as a 10K, half-marathon or marathon.

In Merseyside, there is a regular 5k which takes place in Willowbrook Halewood once a month. Organised by the Knowsley Harriers AC, this free 5K is a great opportunity for runners of all abilities to test themselves in a fully licenced and accurately measured race.

Other major 5k races in the north-west include:

• Port Sunlight 10K & 5K charity run
• Big fun run Liverpool
• Run Aintree
• Liverpool Santa Dash

Run for Alder Hey

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If you want to raise money for Alder Hey and run 5k for charity, all you need to do is register for your event with the organiser directly and then contact us either via email or on 0151 252 5716 with your name, address and details of what you're doing. Then set up a free online donation page and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you. For more fundraising inspiration take a look at our fundraising page.

The money that you help raise will go towards supporting both lifesaving facilities and cutting-edge research into childhood illnesses. Without these vital funds, we wouldn't be able to make such a difference in the lives of children such as Lily, who without our life-changing research would still be suffering from crippling childhood arthritis. Read Lily’s inspirational story here.