One of the most rewarding and effective ways to raise money for a cause that's close to your heart is to take on a sponsored challenge. There are now a huge amount of charity races, runs and treks across the UK, most of which are professionally organised and well supported along the way.
Charity walks come in all shapes and sizes, varying in distance, difficulty and terrain. They can be found up and done the country, meaning the chances are there is one near you. But for an epic experience, why not pick something further afield that will allow you to experience new and breathtaking landscapes at the same time?
Here is our definitive guide to the hottest UK charity walks, races and treks in 2023 – in date order.
UK charity walks and races: the essential 2023 guide
Sat 1 April
Shropshire Way 80k Festival, Shropshire
The challenge: Five events in 2023: the SW80K (50 miles in 24 hours), the Mammothon (full-distance trail marathon in 12-hours), the Half-Mammothon (13 miles in 6 hours), Tusker’s 10K (6.5 miles in 4 hours) and the brand-new “How Welsh Dare You Go?” – where you choose your own distance on the Heart of Wales Line Trail. All routes are hilly and travel over some of the iconic Shropshire Hills summits and Iron-Age hillforts, along ancient drovers’ routes and through magnificent ancient woodland and delightful market towns. Local traditional Shropshire dinner included.
Registration fee: from £30
Fundraising pledge: none given
Find out more: shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk/whats-on-at-shdc/shropshire-way-80k-festival/
Sat 29 April
Isle of Wight Challenge, Hampshire
The challenge: Walk, jog or run either 25, 50 or 100km along the spectacular southern cliffs of the IOW, past the Needles and up to the halfway point in Cowes before heading back to base camp in Chale.
Registration fee: small fee
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: isleofwightchallenge.com/
Sat 13 May
Jurassic Coast Challenge, Dorset
The challenge: 100km, 50km or 25km walk, jog or run along the World Heritage coastline from Corfe Castle in Dorset to Weymouth.
Registration fee: From £79 for a self-funded place
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: ultrachallenge.com/jurassic-coast-challenge/
Sat 15 May
Blenheim 7k Fun Run, Oxfordshire
The challenge: A choice of picturesque 1-mile (family- and buggy-friendly), 4-mile and 7km routes (plus 7km with dogs) around the Palace grounds
Registration fee: From £13.50
Fundraising pledge: Optional
Find out more: blenheim7k.eventrac.co.uk/e/blenheim-7k-7649
Sat 20 May
Cornwall Pretty Muddy 5k and Pretty Muddy Kids
The challenge: Slip, slide and scramble your way through a muddy 5km course at Stithians Showground in Cornwall in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Registration fee: From £12 (kids over 13), or £22.49 (adults).
Fundraising pledge: Optional
Find out more: raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/find-an-event/stithians-showground-pretty-muddy-5k-2023-05-20-1045
Sat 27 May – Sun 28 May
London to Brighton Challenge, London to Sussex
The challenge: Walk, jog or run 100km from Richmond-upon-Thames to the Brighton coastline.
Registration fee: small fee
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: ultrachallenge.com/london-2-brighton-challenge/
Sat 10 June
Lake District Challenge, Derbyshire
The challenge: Walk, jog or run either 25, 50 or 100km from Kendal via Ambleside and Lake Windermere.
Registration fee: small fee
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: ultrachallenge.com/lake-district-challenge/
Sat 17 June
Wiltshire Three Peaks Challenge, Wiltshire
Challenge: 10k or half marathon to run, walk or jog across Tan Hill, Milk Hill and Walkers Hill in aid of Youth Adventure Trust. Open to families.
Registration: from £10
Fundraising pledge: from £50 to £300
Find out more: youthadventuretrust.org.uk
Sun 18 Jun
Montane Summer Spine, Pennines
Challenge: Non-stop 268-mile race along the Pennine Way. Beginning from Edale in Derbyshire, runners have a time limit of 156 hours to reach the elusive village of Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders.
Registration: from £825
Fundraising pledge: none given
Find out more: thespinerace.com/race/summer-spine/summer-spine-spine/
Sat 24 June
Cotswold Way Challenge, Cotswolds
The challenge: Walk, jog or run either 25, 50 or 100km along the spectacular southern cliffs of the IOW, past the Needles and up to the halfway point in Cowes before heading back to base camp in Chale.
Registration fee: small fee
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: ultrachallenge.com/cotswold-way-challenge/
Sat 8 July
Race to the Stones, Oxfordshire to Wiltshire
The challenge: 50km or 100km, running from Lewknor through woodland, riverside and ridge trails towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avebury stone circle.
Registration: From £95
Fundraising pledge: None listed
Find out more: thresholdtrailseries.com/events/race-to-the-stones/
Sat 15 July
Brecon Beacons Challenge, Wales
The challenge: Either 6 peaks (17km) or 10 peaks (34km) in aid of Youth Adventure Trust.
Registration: Free to enter, teams of 2 - 6
Fundraising pledge: £200 per person
Find out more: youthadventuretrust.org.uk
Fri 4 – Sun 6 August
Giant's Causeway Challenge, Northern Ireland
The challenge: Walk 26 miles along UNESCO-Heritage coastline in around 12 hours
Registration fee: From £75, plus £250 if self-funded
Fundraising pledge: £525 if sponsored
Find out more: charitychallenge.com/expedition/3619/Giants-Causeway-Challenge
Sat 5 August
South West Coast 50 Challenge, Dorset
The challenge: Walk, jog or run either 25, 50 or 100km from Minehead via Dawlish, Exmoor and the Exe Valley.
Registration fee: small fee
Fundraising pledge: however much you can
Find out more: ultrachallenge.com/sw-coast-50/
4 Sept 2023
Montane Dragon's Back, Wales
The challenge: A 380km, six-day ultra running journey from Conwy Castle to Cardiff in Wales.
Registration fee: £1,599
Fundraising pledge: None detailed.
Find out more: dragonsbackrace.com/
29 Sept
13 Valleys Ultra, Lake District
The challenge: 2 Valleys Trail (20km), 5 Valleys (60km), 7 Valleys (100km) and 13 Valleys (180km). The route promises spectacular trail and mountain running over the fells, round the magnificent lakes and waters, and through the unique valleys of the Lake District National Park. Five percent of the entry fee will be donated to the Lake District Foundation to support the National Park.
Registration fee: From £45
Fundraising pledge: None detailed.
Find out more: 13valleysultra.com/event-info/
Main image: Enter as a group or as an individual./Credit: Getty
