Participation in extreme and endurance events, like marathons, triathlons and mud events, is exploding. But charitable organizations lag behind - remaining largely focused on traditional walks, runs and rides.  

During Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council's October webinar, Event 360's CEO Jeff Shuck, noted that nonprofits often focus on short-term feasibility, missing two important considerations when thinking about events: 

• Will people want to participate?
  It is no longer necessary to convince people to come out to do something. The real challenge today is to give them something interesting and compelling to do.
• Is the event viable year after year?
  Anything that requires a committee to volunteer 40 hours a week in the run up to the event or relies on the dedication of a small team of overworked underpaid employees may be feasible in the short-term but isn't sustainable or able to scale in the long-term.

To learn more about this and other trends and opportunities shaping the world of charitable event fundraising as 2012 draws to a close, check out this article or watch a free recording of the full webinar. 

• The 2011 Alzheimer's Association Orange County Walk to End Alzheimer's 'income triggered email campaign,' created by Turnkey Promotions, won a silver award for fundraising excellence at the 2012 Fundraising Success magazine awards.
• Atlanta and Chicago are hosting the first-ever 'Strollers in the Front 5K' events. These new run/walks, where strollers can start at the front for a change, will raise money for Neighborhood Parents Network in Chicago and Rally Foundation in Atlanta.   
• Cesar Millan, Scooby-Doo and Warner Bros. Consumer Products took over the National Mall for the Second Annual National Family Pack Walk on September 29, in Washington, D.C. The event gathered an estimated ten thousand friends and supporters for the "One Million Paw March."