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You already know that running does your mind and body good—but what if it could also do the world some good? If the physical and psychological benefits aren't enough to get you on the sidewalk, track or treadmill, maybe you should consider signing up for a charity race. Combining fundraising and fitness, these philanthropic events raise money for all types of causes, from cancer research to child abuse to animal rights. Charity races are available for all levels and lengths, from mile-long "fun runs" to 5Ks, 10Ks, marathons and triathlons. In most cases, the registration fee goes directly to the charity group. Some organizations will encourage you to raise additional funds by recruiting family, friends and coworkers to sponsor you in the race. You may also have the option to join a training team with other participants, which can provide invaluable motivation, coaching and camaraderie leading up to race day. Each U.S. state offers dozens, or even hundreds, of charity races each year. Whether you choose one of these events or find your own, implement these tips for finishing strong. AlabamaRace: King's Home Hope Run Distance: 5K Location: Chelsea, Alabama Month: November Why It's Great: Race proceeds benefit King's Home, a non-profit charity that helps to provide hope and healing to abused women and children throughout Alabama. AlaskaRace: Jingle Bell Run/Walk Distance: 5K Location: Anchorage, Alaska Month: December Why It's Great: Proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation to further arthritis research. Many racers showcase their holiday spirit by dressing up in winter-themed costumes and tying jingle bells to their shoelaces.  Image via Jingle Bell Run ArizonaRace: Salute to Heroes Family 5K Run Distance: 5K Location: El Mirage, Arizona Month: November Why It's Great: In lieu of a race entry fee, the organizers ask that runners make a donation to their favorite veteran charity, or can donate at the event. The race is held at beautiful Gateway Park. ArkansasRace: White River Marathon Distance: 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon Location: Cotter, Arkansas Month: November Why It's Great: In conjunction with World Vision, the event raises thousands of dollars each year for the town of Katito, Kenya, providing clean water, clothing and other living essentials. The flat course runs along the scenic White River in the town of Cotter. CaliforniaRace: Lupus Race for Life Distance: 5K, 1 Mile Kids' Run Location: Mirada, California Month: December Why It's Great: Hosted by Lupus International, the race helps to raise funds for women and men afflicted with lupus. The scenic, shaded course meanders through La Mirada Regional Park. ColoradoRace: Dash to End Domestic Violence Distance: 5K Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Month: April Why It's Great: This race is designed to increase awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds for TESSA, an organization providing services to local victims. ConnecticutRace: CancerCare Walk/Run for Hope Distance: 5K, Half Mile Kids' Run Location: Greenwich, Connecticut Month: April Why It's Great: Proceeds benefit CancerCare, an organization that offers free professional services to those facing a cancer diagnosis.  Image via CancerCare Walk/Run for Hope DelawareRace: Athletes to End Alzheimer's Distance: 5K Location: Bethany Beach, Delaware Month: August Why It's Great: Held in downtown Bethany Beach, this scenic race benefits the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley chapter. FloridaRace: Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure Distance: 5K Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Month: January Why It's Great: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest and most successful breast cancer fundraising event in the world. One hundred percent of all proceeds are used to raise awareness, to boost education and screening and to celebrate survivors and those who have lost their battle.  Image via Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure GeorgiaRace: Habitat Hero 5K Distance: 5K Location: Milledgeville, Georgia Month: April Why It's Great: Proceeds benefit the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for families in need. The course winds along the beautiful Oconee River Greenway. HawaiiRace: Run for Hope Hualalai Distance: 5K, 10K Location: Hualalai, Hawaii Month: September Why It's Great: This annual event raises funds and awareness for cancer research—and it helps that it takes place at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.  Image via Run for Hope Hualalai IdahoRace: Mutt Strut for Snake River Animal Hospital Distance: 5K Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Month: September Why It's Great: The race benefits the Snake River Animal Shelter, which works to promote animal adoption, welfare and education. IllinoisRace: Kick Abuse 5K Distance: 5K Location: Edwards, Illinois Month: April Why It's Great: Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Resource Center, which is committed to meeting the medical needs of abused and neglected children. IndianaRace: Autism Evansville Walk & 5K Distance: 5K Location: Evansville, Indiana Month: April Why It's Great: This charitable run benefits Autism Evansville, which works to help families affected by autism.  Image via Autism Evansville Walk & 5K IowaRace: Dubuque Diabetes Dash Distance: 5K Location: Dubuque, Iowa Month: April Why It's Great: In conjunction with the Iowa chapter of the JDRF, this race raises funds to promote research and to provide an educational and recreational camp for local children with diabetes. KansasRace: Dog 'n Jog Distance: 1.5K, 5K, 10K, 1.5K Location: Manhattan, Kansas Month: April Why It's Great: Hosted by the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, this event raises funds to provide guide dogs for the visually impaired, service dogs for those with disabilities and other therapy and facility dogs. KentuckyRace: Over My Head Distance: 5K Location: Somerset, Kentucky Month: June Why It's Great: All registration fees benefit Over My Head, a local homeless shelter serving Somerset and Pulaski county. LouisianaRace: Minden Run for St. Jude Distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon Location: Minden, Louisiana Month: February Why It's Great: This annual race benefits the Louisiana chapter of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which works to provide education, treatment and prevention of childhood cancer and other juvenile diseases. MaineRace: Sailors & Sirens 5K Distance: 1K Fun Run, 5K Location: Kennebunk, Maine Month: June Why It's Great: Runners dress up as mermaids and seafarers to run a picturesque course on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery, winding down to the waterfront. Proceeds benefit the fight against blood cancer, hosted by The Downeast Divas, which work to raise funds for cancer research, patient support and advocacy. MarylandRace: Run & Fun Walk for Hospice Distance: 5K, 10K Location: Leonardtown, Maryland Month: April Why It's Great: Since 1996, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Hospice of St. Mary's County, which provides care, comfort and support to terminally ill residents. MassachusettsRace: Cape Abilities Harbor Walk and Fun Run Distance: 2.2 Miles Location: Hyannis, Massachusetts Month: May Why It's Great: This event benefits Cape Abilities, a non-profit Cape Cod organization that helps people with disabilities access jobs, homes and therapeutic services. Starting on the Village Green in front of the town hall, the flat, scenic course offers picturesque water views. MichiganRace: Steps to Freedom Distance: 5K Location: Lansing, Michigan Month: March Why It's Great: Proceeds go to The House of Promise, an organization that is raising funds to build a home for young girls recovering from sexual abuse and trafficking. MinnesotaRace: New Hope Women of Today 5K Distance: 5K Location: New Hope, Minnesota Month: April Why It's Great: New Hope Women of Today is a non-profit organization made up of a diverse group of community-minded, philanthropic women. They host the race to raise funds for various local charities, which have included The Preeclampsia Foundation, TEAM Mental Health, Kody's Closet and The 30-Days Foundation. MississippiRace: Make a Difference 5K Distance: 5K Location: Ridgeland, Mississippi Month: February Why It's Great: Proceeds benefit the Friends of Children's Hospital for the Blair E. Batson's Children's Hospital at University Medical Center. FOCH holds fundraising events to help improve healthcare for sick and injured children.  Image via Make a Difference 5KMissouriRace: Children's TLC Groundhog Run Distance: 5K, 10K Location: Kansas City, Missouri Month: January Why It's Great: Since 1982, the Groundhog Run has raised more than $4.5 million for children with special needs. Held at the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, the race offers pleasant running temperatures in the mid-sixties.  Image via Groundhog Run MontanaRace: Race for Independence Distance: 1K, 5K, 10K Location: Bozeman, Montana Month: July Why It's Great: This sojourn through the trails of north Bozeman benefits Reach, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering adults with developmental disabilities. NebraskaRace: Set Me Free Run Distance: 1 Mile Kids' Fun Run, 5K, 10K Location: Omaha, Nebraska Month: July Why It's Great: All proceeds from the race go toward The Set Me Free Project, a non-profit organization that works to raise awareness, education and prevention of human trafficking. NevadaRace: Free to Breathe Run/Walk Distance: 1 Mile Walk, 5K Run/Walk Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Month: May Why It's Great: Registration fees are used to fund research, education and awareness to help increase lung cancer survival rates. New HampshireRace: Rescue Run for Marine Mammals Distance: Half-Mile Kids' Run, 5K Location: Rye, New Hampshire Month: April Why It's Great: Save the seals by running or walking along a cross-country coastal trail, which winds through scenic Odiorne State Park. New JerseyRace: Rubin Run Distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon Location: Tenafly, New Jersey Month: May Why It's Great: All proceeds benefit the JCC of Central New Jersey, a non-profit organization that provides people with special needs with valuable life-enhancing skills that enable them to reach their full potential. New MexicoRace: Run with Your Doc Distance: 1 Mile, 5K, 10K Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico Month: February Why It’s Great: Proceeds go to St. Luke’s Health Care for the Homeless, a network of medical professionals who volunteer their time to provide healthcare for the local homeless. The course runs around the Doña Ana Community College campus against stunning views of the Organ Mountains. New YorkRace: Little Cow Harbor 4-Mile Run for Hope Distance: Kids' Fun Run, 4 Mile Run Location: Greenlawn, New York Month: March Why It's Great: This race benefits St. Hugh's Project H.O.P.E., a community ministry that holds food drives, Sunday suppers and mobile soup kitchens for the hungry, homeless and unemployed people in the Huntington area. North CarolinaRace: Ocean Isle Beach Run for Food Distance: 5K, Half Marathon Location: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina Month: January Why It's Great: Your registration fee will benefit the South Brunswick Interchurch Council Food Pantry. The course meanders through beautiful Ocean Isle Beach, with stunning views from the Ocean Isle Beach Bridge. North DakotaRace: Run 4 Change–Deutscher Family Memorial Distance: 1K, 5K, 10K Location: Bismarck, North Dakota Month: April Why It's Great: In memory of the Deutscher family, who were killed by a drunk driver in 2012, this event is dedicated to raising awareness and the prevention of drinking and driving. Proceeds benefit local organizations, such as Safe Communities Coalition and SADD. OhioRace: Butterfly Walk & 5K for CancerFree Kids Distance: 1 Mile Walk, 5K, 10K Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Month: May Why It's Great: Proceeds go to CancerFree Kids, a parent-founded, non-profit organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research. OklahomaRace: Run for Recovery Distance: 5K, 10K Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Month: February Why It's Great: This charity race funds a program that helps to prevent teenage substance abuse and to help teens recover from addiction. The course follows the scenic Lake Hefner Trail. OregonRace: Crush Cancer Distance: 5K, 10K, Half Marathon Location: Terrebonne, Oregon Month: September Why It's Great: Where else can you raise funds to eradicate cancer while running through gorgeous vineyards and farmland against the backdrop of the Three Sisters Mountains? PennsylvaniaRace: Get Your Rear in Gear Distance: Kids' Fun Run, 2 Mile Run, 4 Mile Run Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Month: March Why It's Great: Produced by the Colon Cancer Coalition, this event raises money to further research to find a cure for colon cancer. Rhode IslandRace: Run for the Fallen Distance: 5K Location: Bristol, Rhode Island Month: September Why It's Great: All race proceeds benefit annual events to recognize local heroes who have lost their lives protecting our country's freedoms since September 11, 2001. South CarolinaRace: Red Shoe Run Distance: 5K, 10K Location: Columbia, South Carolina Month: January Why It's Great: In conjunction with the Ronald McDonald House of Columbia, South Carolina, this race provides funds to help families care for critically ill or injured children. South DakotaRace: Avera Race Against Breast Cancer Distance: 1.5 Mile Run, 3 Mile Run, 5K, 10K Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Month: May Why It's Great: This long-standing race unites cancer survivors and supporters in the goal of furthering cancer care and research in the local community.  Image via Avera Race Against Breast Cancer TennesseeRace: Hike2Heal Distance: 5K Location: Nashville, Tennessee Month: April Why It's Great: This benefit race donates all proceeds to healthcare for students at Raise the Roof Academy in Uganda. Funds are used for immunizations, antimalarial treatment and preventative medical care. TexasRace: Run with Heart Distance: 1 Mile Run, 5K, Half Marathon Location: Mansfield, Texas Month: January Why It's Great: All proceeds benefit the Heart of the Community program, which works to promote local heart disease education and prevention, and also supports cardiology services at the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. UtahRace: Race to Reduce Bullying Distance: Fun Run, 5K Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Month: March Why It's Great: Hosted by Playworks, this race benefits the organization's efforts to support positive, inclusive play for children at local elementary schools. VermontRace: Covered Bridges Half Marathon Distance: Half Marathon Location: Woodstock, Vermont Month: June Why It's Great: As if you needed another reason to run through some of Vermont's most scenic covered bridges, all proceeds benefit non-profit organizations that specialize in services for people with dementia.  Image via Covered Bridges Half Marathon VirginiaRace: CASA Superhero Run Distance: 5K, Kids' Fun Run Location: Richmond, Virginia Month: April Why It's Great: Hosted by Court Appointed Special Advocates, this event raises money to help find safe, permanent homes for abused and neglected children who are involved in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court process.  Image via CASA Superhero Run WashingtonRace: Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes Distance: 1 Mile Run, 3 Mile Run, 8K Location: Washougal, Washington Month: May Why It's Great: Runners attempt to cross over Seattle's University Bridge before it's raised. If they don't beat it, they can enjoy a live band while waiting for it to come back down. Race proceeds benefit the JDRF, the world's biggest fundraising organization for type 1 diabetes.  Image via Beat the Bridge West VirginiaRace: Run the Fight Distance: 1 Mile Walk, 5K Location: Huntington, West Virginia Month: July Why It's Great: In memorial of local educator Sherry Shumaker, this event raises funds for The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, which works to advance research, awareness and support for this life-threatening disease. WisconsinRace: Parkinson's Half Marathon and 5K Distance: 5K, Half Marathon, 1 Mile Walk, Kids' Fun Run Location: Cottage Grove, Wisconsin Month: April Why It's Great: The race benefits the Wisconsin chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association, which supports those affected by Parkinson's and works to further research and education efforts.  Image via Parkinson's Half Marathon WyomingRace: Hear in Color 5K Glow Fun Run Distance: 5K Location: N. Poplar Casper, Wyoming Month: September Why It's Great: Put on by the Wyoming Families for Hands & Voices, this event raises awareness of hearing loss and healing health. Proceeds help hearing-impaired children get access to hearing devices. |
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