As runners gear up for the Manchester Marathon on April 19, 2026, many are grappling with heightened fundraising demands alongside their training commitments.
Why it matters: The Manchester Marathon has become a platform for runners to raise funds for various charities, but increasing financial targets may limit participation.
Jo Wood, who lost her baby Jack shortly after birth, runs to raise awareness for baby loss charity Sands and mental health charity Mind.
Wood has raised over £10,000 for charities through eight marathons, emphasizing the importance of sharing personal stories to inspire donations.
Fundraising targets for charity runners now range between £2,000 and £3,000, creating financial pressure on participants.
Driving the news: Over 42,000 runners are expected to participate in the Manchester Marathon, a key event in the running calendar.
The marathon weekend coincides with a post-race celebration featuring free Nell’s pizza and giveaways for finishers at Kampus, supported by adidas and JD.
Participants will receive a complimentary slice of pizza and a drink when they show their marathon medal at the event, which runs from 12pm to 8pm.
The collaboration celebrates the launch of the new adidas EVO SL ATR running shoes, built for performance.
State of play: Many runners are finding that training and fundraising are more challenging than ever.
Kirsty Barker, running for Mind, has struggled to meet her £2,500 fundraising target, noting the difficulty of asking for donations during a cost-of-living crisis.
She has organized quizzes and other events to raise funds, illustrating the creative approaches runners must take to meet their goals.
Sue Jackson, at 70, is running for Victa, a charity supporting young people with sight loss, and has met her fundraising target by sharing her family's connection to the cause.
The big picture: The increasing popularity of marathons has led to heightened competition for spots and increased fundraising expectations.
Marathon expert Sarah Jones warns that as fundraising targets rise, events like the London Marathon may become less accessible to those on lower incomes.
Jones highlights the pressures faced by runners, who often juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities alongside their training and fundraising efforts.
Marie Curie, the official charity for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, expects to raise at least £2 million through its runners, each tasked with raising a minimum of £2,500.
What they're saying: Runners express a mix of determination and concern over the challenges they face.
"Running a marathon for charity isn't just about raising money, it's about raising awareness," Wood said, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories.
Barker shared her initial optimism about fundraising, stating, "At first, I thought, oh, that's a breeze, I've got loads of time to do that," only to realize the complexity involved.
Jackson noted the support she's received, saying, "I've got a friend who is running for charity and I don't think she is finding it so easy," highlighting the varied experiences among participants.
By the numbers: The scale of the Manchester Marathon reflects its growing significance in the running community.
Over 60,000 runners are projected to participate in the TCS London Marathon on April 26, 2026, underscoring the event's popularity.
Since its inception in 1981, the London Marathon has raised over £1.4 billion for charity, demonstrating the event's impact on charitable giving.
With the rising costs of living, many runners are finding it increasingly difficult to ask for donations, complicating their fundraising efforts.
What's next: As the Manchester Marathon approaches, runners are preparing for both the physical challenge and the emotional toll of fundraising.
Participants are encouraged to share their stories and experiences to connect with potential donors and inspire support.
Adidas and JD's post-race event promises to celebrate the accomplishments of runners, offering a communal space to unwind and share experiences.
Runners are reminded to take advantage of the supportive community around them, as many rely on their networks for both encouragement and financial contributions.