Today is Giving Tuesday, and while donating funds is incredibly important, giving back can also mean sharing our time, energy, and resources with the community we love: the running community! Here are a few ways I try to practice giving year-round. No matter what, it’s important to ensure the starting line is accessible and encouraging for everyone.
Fueling The Next Runner: Donating Old Running Shoes
We runners accumulate a lot of gear, especially shoes! When my running shoes hit that 300–500 mile mark, they aren’t ready for the landfill, but they are ready for retirement from my training. Instead of tossing them, I prioritize donating my still-usable (but retired) shoes to programs that pass them on to athletes or community members in need. It gives the shoes a second life and ensures someone else can experience the joy and health benefits of moving. My local running store accepts donations at all their locations, and some races also set up a donation station.
Sharing the Love: Promoting Races & Events
As a blogger and runner, I have a platform! When I run a great race, whether it’s a huge marathon or a small community 5K, I make sure to share my honest experience and enthusiastic recap. By blogging and posting on social media about the organization, the cause, and the local vendors, I help promote those races, even if I’m not being compensated. This drives sign-ups, supports small race organizers, and brings new runners into our wonderful running community.
Community and Cheer: Showing Up
Sometimes the simplest way to give back is just to show up. Whether it’s volunteering at a water stop, leaving an encouraging comment on a fellow runner’s post, or offering a wave and a smile to a runner struggling on the path, small gestures matter. Every great running community is built on mutual support and encouraging the runner next to you.
How do you give back to the running community? Share your ideas below!
Looking for more traditional ways to contribute? You can check out some of my favorite running charities here!
Join us next week —> Show us your year in bling!
Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
These are some really good points, Jenn!
Here in Cape Town, used sports gear is in high demand! We even collect from friends and family in Switzerland to bring it all back here and then to donate everything. I give my running shoes to a young girl that is running with me twice a week. Luckily, we have the same shoe size!
I wear a US 10.5 in women’s so not too many people share my size. It’s great when you can donate directly!
I actually need to do this–I have a lot of running shoes! Many were gifted from Brooks and are shoes that don’t work for me. I have given those to friends who could use them.
Oh, I’m sure people would be so happy to have them!
You’ve listed some fantastic ways to give back to the running community, Jenn! Our local running stores have those shoe donation boxes set up as well and I sometime see them at races. Our running community is wonderful!
I love when they bring them to races. It’s so nice for people to be able to donate right on site.
These are all great ideas and I love the last one. Sometimes it’s easy to remember the big things but forget the small things you can do every day.
I really wear out my running shoes. When I’m done running in them, I use them for work or the gym. I’m not sure anyone should be running in them after all that, but I do donate them to Goodwill when I’m finally ready to part with them.
I will absolutely downgrade my running shoes to dog walking or hiking shoes. But don’t forget, even if they aren’t useable for running, the rubber and materials can be broken down for other things!
Good ideas.
I think I already posted on this topic.
But definitely enjoy coaching or mentoring new runners.
And supporting charities sponsored by races.
It’s always so great to give back.
I have always donated my used running shoes…and it’s about time to filter-down the shoe racks again. It’s crazy how fast they pull-up!
Same. I have a bunch to bring in.