•Dance-a-thons : In these events,
participants have to dance to provided dance music for a specific amount of time. This type of
event is good if you have a younger target donor list.
•Sew-a-thons : In these events,
participants sew (or quilt or craft) for a pres-set period of time or until a specific number
of items have been created. As an added bonus, the things created this way can then be sold at
a fair or sale. However, if you decide on this sort of marathon, you will need to make sure that
you can find enough volunteers willing to sew or craft for an extended period of time!
•Exercise-a-thons : These were popular a
number of years ago, but it is still possible to find this sort of marathon hosted by non-profits.
Participants are encouraged to exercise for a specific period of time or are encouraged to take part in
once type of activity (skiing, swimming, horseback riding, biking, boating, aerobics, skateboarding,
in-line skating, or some other activity). It is important to ensure that the marathon is not so
long that people will be injured, and it is important to provide some medical help at the marathon site
to ensure that anyone who is injured or becomes ill can get the help they need.
•Clean-a-thons : This type of marathon is
very popular among groups with a "green" theme. In exchange for the possibility of cash and prizes,
participants agree to clean part of a city or highway, often agreeing to pick up specific amounts or
garbage in order to get sponsor support.
This type of marathon is good because it has several side
advantages. The city or town area will usually look much better after the event, which means that
media or town politicians will often support such an event, ensuring more participants. Schools,
neighborhood groups, churches, and other groups interested in the community are usually willing
participants, ensuring that you have enough people taking part.
And this can be a fun event, with participants working
together in their community. It is easy to organize. Remember that you will need to
provide refreshment, prizes, and garbage bags as well as thick gloves to protect participants. You
will also need someone to take collected recyclables to be recycled. Additional volunteers will
have to follow up with participants in order to get sponsor's contributions.
•Kiss-a-thons : As the name suggests, in
this type of marathon calls for participants to kiss for a specific period of time. In many of
these marathons, participants have also tried to get participants into the world book of records for the
longest kiss.
•Fasts: Marathon fasts are becoming quite
popular. Events such as the "24 hour famine" raise awareness about world hunger as well as the
money that can change poverty. Participants need to be told about the dangers of long-term fasting
before beginning.
•Cook-a-thons : In these events, which are
often better for small towns where security issues are not as much of a concern, participants cook for a
specific period of time. The food cooked can be sold to raise even more money or can be donated to
a shelter or food bank. These marathons can be expensive to sponsor unless you can get a company to help
you, as the cost of cooking supplies can be quite high.
•Eating contests: Part race and part marathon,
these contests are often part of a fair or bazaar. Participants try to eat as much of an item (usually a
pie) within a set period of time, and are usually lots of fun.
•Sit-ins: In the 1960s, sit-ins were used
to protest certain conditions or institutions. Today, some non-profit groups are using
sit-ins to raise money and awareness for specific issues. Participants spend a few days in a
specific area, "camping out" creating a stir about an issue while also raising money through
sponsors. This type of marathon requires lots of organizing and careful controls to keep everyone
safe. Also, you will need to find someone willing to lend space for your event.
•Read-a-thon : In this type of marathon,
participants read as many books as they can over a period of a few weeks. In exchange, sponsors
give participants a specific sum of money for every book read. Since this activity takes place on
participant's own time, there is no need to provide a space or refreshments.
Participants also provide their own books, making a read-a-thon
one of the more inexpensive forms of marathon to organize. Schools and libraries are often willing
to help advertise or support this type of event, as well, so you can be sure of getting help with this
type of project.
In fact, any event or activity that can be organized to take place
in a group for a few hours can generally be made into a successful marathon. For inspiration, try
looking at the Guinness World Book of records and other similar reference works for activities that could
be converted into a marathon.
