Running is the cheapest sport around – all you need is a pair of trainers, right? And another pair, and maybe some . . . .
Our Pay What You Can race entry is a trial initiative aimed at removing the financial barriers that prevent some people from entering running events. With these tickets, participants can choose to pay exactly what they can afford. For some, this may be significantly less than the standard price*; others may choose to support those less financially able by contributing more. We hope this will balance out, enabling more people to experience the joys and benefits of running events, regardless of their financial situation.
For many runners, running isn’t as cheap as it first seems—costs add up quickly. Running shoes can be expensive; then there’s technical clothing for different seasons, lights and hi-viz for running in the dark, a device to track your runs, and finally, race entry fees—not to mention travel and parking costs. For those financially stretched, the cost of entering events is prohibitive, leaving many unable to participate. Until now.
Think back to the first time you completed a race. Perhaps you set yourself a challenge or upped your distance for the first time. Remember that sense of achievement as you crossed the finish line? Now imagine helping someone else feel that same sense of accomplishment. If you’re new to racing and have been held back by costs, we’d love for your first race experience to be with us!
Running provides countless benefits—not just for physical health but also for mental wellbeing and social inclusion. Running events are a vital part of this experience. Initially, we’re releasing a limited number of Pay What You Can entries to monitor their impact and usage. With a successful trial, we hope to roll out this initiative across all our events.
We really hope you’ll join us in making our events as inclusive as possible, giving everyone the opportunity to experience the transformative power of running.
* Transaction fees will still apply – bear this in mind when assessing affordability. ** Any surplus donations in excess of balancing out the Pay What You Can entries will be donated to our partner charity.