Run Walk Ride Fundraising -- Run & Walk Revenue up 9%

RUN WALK RIDE SUCCESS

December 2007

Greetings!

Another indicator that things are looking up for athletic event fundraising recently hit my inbox.

Money raised by runners & walkers grew 9% from 2005 to 2006, according to USA Track & Field's latest charity study.

Although USATF's sampling technique way under reports funds raised, it's a helpful gauge since they've been using the same methodology since 2002.

We'll soon be fielding our second annual Run Walk Ride Fundraising Survey and -- with your help -- we'll have an even better meaure of progress.

Ready, set, read on!

David Hessekiel

President

Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council

Tel: (914) 921-3914

Not Your Usual Run in the Park Elvis Run

Traditional runs, walks and rides remain the workhorses of our industry, but more and more organizers are trying new and different approaches. For instance:

Participants in The Vision 5K Blindfold Challenge cover the distance blindfolded (with the aid of a sighted guide).
In 2000, United Cerebal Palsy's annual Dallas event was rechristened The Elvis Run complete with Elvis impersonators and numerous runners with long sideburns.
The Easter Seals Drop Zone program in Canada enables participants to rappel off of skyscrapers!

Nontraditional event strategies will be the topic of the opening dinner presentation by Brian Pendleton of CauseForce at the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Conference. As co-creator of The Underwear Affair, he should have some revealing insights to share!

Pan-Mass Challenge Raises $33 Million PMC Check