The New Year is here and that means, it’s resolution time! For some people this might involve a new health and fitness regime, for others, it might be striving to get a promotion at work or achieving a personal goal.
Here at Smile Train, we believe that taking part in a challenge activity/event whilst raising money for a worthwhile cause is a fantastic New Year goal to set, and can help change lives across the world.
If you are thinking of adding a ‘charity challenge’ to your list of New Year’s resolutions this year, why not raise money for Smile Train and help us to create lots of new forever smiles for children globally?
To provide some ‘food for thought’, here we have rounded up some of the best mass participation challenges and events that are taking place throughout the UK in 2019:
THE BIG HALF – 10TH MARCH
Turn your miles into smiles at The Big Half – London’s most exciting half marathon. Starting and finishing at Tower Bridge, join 11,000 other runners as you run through the streets of four London boroughs – Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich.
ROUGH RUNNER – 13TH APRIL
Take on your favourite TV obstacles by taking part in the Rough Runner. Full of a variety of obstacles inspired by popular gameshows such as Wipeout, Ninja Warrior and Gladiators, this event – held is Sussex – is suitable for any level of fitness, and is great to enter with friends.
THE LONDON MARATHON – 28TH APRIL
One of the largest and most famous marathons in the world is the Virgin Money London Marathon, where participants run 26 miles through the streets of London, passing iconic sites along the ways. Although immensely challenging, it is also a fantastic way to raise money for a cause close to your heart.
We are no longer accepting registration for charity place runners for this race, but if you have secured your own place in the ballot then you can still support Smile Train – with every £150 raised being able to cover the cost of a cleft surgery.
TOUGH MUDDER – 4TH MAY
Take on the mud-soaked mayhem that is Tough Mudder in support of Smile Train and raise funds for children with clefts all over the world. Full of obstacles that will not only test your physical abilities, the rolling hills, thick forest and steep inclines make this a challenge for the toughest.
GREAT NORTH RUN – 8TH SEPTEMBER
Lined with thousands of supporters to cheer you on, the course will take you through the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne and over the iconic Tyne Bridge, finishing magnificent views of the sea in South Shields. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster and has become the largest half marathon in the world.
THE ROYAL PARKS HALF MARATHON – 13TH OCTOBER
The only half marathon that travels through central London, is the award-winning Royal Parks Half Marathon. This fast and flat route will you take you on a picturesque autumnal 13.1 miles through Hyde Park, Green Park, St. James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
Any race can be a race for smiles, so if the above challenges don’t take your fancy – why not create your own? Whether it’s a local 5K, your own entry into a marathon, or just some laps around your favourite park, make every mile count towards helping a child in need.
Learn more about Smile Train and join our Team EMPOWER here – smiletrain.org.uk/get-involved-uk