The Green Runners' Race for Change

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Project by paola.handley

Total raised £14,555

raised so far

282

supporters

It's time to pick up the pace on climate action! Support The Green Runners to empower runners and make positive changes for our planet!

We're still collecting donations

On the 31st October 2024 we'd raised £14,095 with 273 supporters in 41 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

As featured on the BBC and Runners World.

What’s the problem?

We are in a climate emergency - we cannot run away from that. 

In recent years, we have seen a rapid increase in global temperatures, species becoming extinct, habitat loss, and communities displaced. 

Runners are part of the solution

We know running is contributing to climate breakdown - but it can also be part of the solution. We were founded in 2022 to support runners make sustainable lifestyle choices and challenge the industry and events to safeguard our planet’s future.

Since then we’ve supported more than 2,000 runners to make changes for a fitter planet and campaigned for greener practices from brands and races, but there is so much more we can achieve and huge potential. 

What are we fundraising for?

Until now, we have been volunteer-run, supporting individuals to make big changes in how they live and run.

We are at the start of something truly groundbreaking. There are millions of runners out there wanting to make a difference for the future of our environment, and we want to help them.

By supporting us to raise £50,000, you will be helping us to massively expand our work. The funds will help us recruit several staff members to boost our support for individuals to create a community of empowered runners. They will also work to collaborate with brands, races and clubs to create systemic change in our sport.

Support us today. This is a race we cannot afford to lose.

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FAQ

Why runners?

As runners, we love to explore our natural world and feel the benefits of clean air and increased wellbeing. These are things we are losing in our cities with increased exhaust fumes, and on the trails due to habitat loss and reduced biodiversity. 

According to research by the Running Channel and Sporting Insights, 98% of runners want to make sustainable changes in how they live. However, just 51% have actually made a change. There is so much opportunity. 

Why The Green Runners?

We were founded in 2022 by a group of runners including Jasmin Paris, Dan Lawson and Damian Hall to support runners on their journey to more sustainable running. Since then, we have grown to over 2,000 members. We were established as a non-profit Community Interest Company in 2023. Find out more about our achievements here.

We conducted a survey of our members and discovered 81% of them had made positive changes in their lives since joining us. Our community is founded on creating a positive environment for change, with our members supporting one another in addition to the content and resources we produce for them. 

We have also run campaigns to call time on fossil-fuel sponsorships in our sport. We garnered well over 2,000 signatures to our petition to the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) calling for them to drop car manufacturer Dacia as a sponsor. Thanks to this, and pressure from elite athletes sympathetic with our cause, Dacia was dropped as a headline sponsor. 

This is just a taste of what can be done. We have identified more than 30 running events and teams with high-carbon sponsors, and we want to support races to change that.

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What will you do with the money?

This investment would revolutionise our work. We have been entirely volunteer-run until now, with some help from freelance contractors, and we have already achieved so much. 

Our plan is to use the £50,000 to fund several roles over the next two years. We see these roles being a Membership Manager, a Communications Manager, a Projects and Partnerships Manager, and a Financial Administrator. 

These roles would be to 1) Create a sustainable income stream, allowing us to remain independent and secure our future as an organisation; 2) Grow our audience to create a strong community of informed runners who can support one another and elevate our voice; 3) Expand our resources for individuals, clubs and race organisers; 4) Develop projects and partnerships that helps us to collaborate with groups, clubs, races and brands. 

What if you don’t raise the total amount of money?

The £50,000 target is what we have projected our activities will cost over the next two years. If we do not reach our goal, our first priority will be to create a sustainable income stream and continue to support individual runners. 

What are some of the projects you have in the pipeline?

Asides from growing our income streams and awareness, we have several key projects that would massively benefit from this crowdfunding campaign. Firstly, we are currently piloting a Local Groups scheme to allow our members to connect with one another and create a wider sphere of influence beyond our own. This project will be greatly expanded by the resource we would bring in via this crowdfunding campaign. 

Secondly, we have partnered with England Athletics on a pilot scheme to support clubs to be more sustainable. This has been hugely successful and we’d love to expand the scheme to assist even more clubs and create a Club Membership part of our website. Finally, we are reviewing plans for a green races initiative. This would see us provide guidance for events wanting to run more sustainably. 

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Rewards

This project offered rewards

£800 or more

Secure a place in the Northern Traverse

The Northern Traverse has officially sold out, but we’re offering you a unique chance to secure your entry and support The Green Runners at the same time! By selecting this reward and paying a non-refundable £199 entry deposit, you’ll bypass the waiting list and secure your spot in the event. Typically, the total cost of entry is £799. Lock in your place by paying just £200 extra while making a meaningful donation to a great cause!

£10 or more

Green Runners Hall of Fame

Have your name etched on our crowdfunding Hall of Fame which will be hosted on our website for years to come. It will act as a memento to the incredible community you have helped build.

£20 or more

Kendal Mountain Festival: Endurance Session Ticket

Grab a ticket to the Endurance Session at Kendal Mountain Festival this November. Co-founders Jasmin Paris and Jeevendra Singh will be speaking on the night.

£50 or more

Komoot premium voucher

One year komoot premium voucher so you can plan your next adventure!

£150 or more

Race Ready: Live Training Q&A

Join Claire Maxted and Coach and Physio Tim Pigott from HP3 Coaching for an engaging live episode on training for your A-race in 2025. You will have the unique opportunity to lead the session with your personal training questions; Tim will offer you tailored training advice, ensuring you receive personalised insights to help you prepare for your upcoming race. Scheduled for early next year on Claire's Wild Ginger Running YouTube channel.

£250 or more

Exhale Coffee: 1 Year Subscription

Exhale Coffee is a UK-based company focused on crafting healthy, eco-conscious coffee. Choose this reward to enjoy a one-year subscription: 13 bags, with one bag delivered every four weeks, in the variety of your choice. Once the crowdfund ends, you'll receive a promotion code to use on their website as a thank you for your donation.

£450 or more

1:1 coaching session with Allie Bailey

UK only: These workshops are for everyone. From people who have never run a step to marathon runners stuck in a rut wondering how the hell to get to 100KM and beyond. They are focused around physical prep, mental prep and focused intention setting as well as the practical stuff. This is an in-person, full-day workshop with Allie in Yorkshire, UK.

£700 or more

Damian Hall - 2023 Barkley pages (1 loop)

The Barkley Marathon is one of the most infamous and mysterious running races on the planet. Co-founder Damian Hall is a veteran of the event as is offering the coveted pages from one loop of his 2023 Barkley attempt to one lucky person. Grab this piece of history!

£1,000 or more

Damian Hall - 2024 Barkley pages (1 loop)

In 2024, Damian reached the fifth loop of the infamous Barkley Marathons. To mark that incredible achievement, he is offering the pages from one loop of his 2024 attempt. This is one for the super fans!

£10 or more

Signed copy: Climate Cycle by Kate Strong

Climate Cycle is Green Runner Kate Strong's inspiring account of her epic journey around Britain on a bamboo bike. This signed copy is donated by Kate herself.

£15 or more

Signed copy: There is No Wall by Allie Bailey

There is No Wall is the inspirational book from Green Runner Allie Bailey, published by Vertebrate Publishing. This is a signed copy provided by the publisher.

£20 or more

Signed copy: Running Challenges by Keri Wallace

Running Challenges is an inspiring guidebook from Girls on Hills founder Keri Wallace. It outlines some of the most spectacular routes in the UK and how to do them. This signed copy is provided by publisher Vertebrate Publishing.

£20 or more

Ultimate Ultra Running Handbook

Green Runner Claire Maxted (AKA Wild Ginger Runner) has donated some copies of her brand new book, the Ultimate Ultra Running Handbook! Grab yourself a copy!

£20 or more

Ultimate Trail Running Guide, Claire Maxted

Grab a signed copy of Claire Maxted's book 'Ultimate Trail Running Guide'.

£20 or more

Signed Copy: Forget Me Not by Sophie Pavelle

Forget Me Not: Finding the Forgotten Species of Climate-Change Britain is a nature and climate change memoir exploring endangered species in Britain. Throughout her journey Sophie Pavelle, a science communicator and environmentalist, tells the stories of ten species that are often overlooked but are crucial indicators of ecological health, like the mountain hare, freshwater pearl mussel, and the grayling butterfly.

£30 or more

Gold Green Runners Patch

Grab yourself a special edition Green Runners patch in a special yellow/gold colour with green lettering! Stand out from the crowd with this patch provided by Preloved Sports.

£40 or more

Exhale Coffee: Double Sized Bags

Exhale Coffee is a UK-based company focused on crafting healthy, eco-conscious coffee. Select this reward to receive two 450g bags in your choice of variety; once the crowdfund ends, you'll receive a promotion code to use on their website as a thank you for your donation.

£95 or more

1:1 coaching consultation with Damian Hall

Got a challenge or race in mind that you would like some guidance on from a seasoned ultra-runner? Select this reward to have a 1:1 online consultation with Spine Race winner and tea drinking Green Runners co-founder Damian Hall!

£150 or more

Signed framed photo of Jasmin Paris at Barkley

David Miller's iconic photo of co-founder Jasmin Paris at the Barkley Marathons is immediately recognisable, featuring in newspapers and broadcast television across the globe. Purchase this A3 framed, signed copy of that everlasting image.

£200 or more

12-week coaching plan with Damian Hall

Set yourself up for success with a 12-week plan from our co-founder Damian Hall.

£250 or more

Custom Rubbish Shoes

Stand out from the crowd with a customised pair of Rubbish Shoes, courtesy of ultra-runner Dan Lawson. The Green Runners co-founder set up Rubbish Shoes to stop salvageable shoes going to landfill. Made from component parts of different shoes, these are a fun, eye-catching set of trainers that don't cost the Earth! Reward covers a call with Dan and creation of the shoes. Postage will be charged by Dan separately.

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