Four young Hong Kong women have found the motivation to swap their heels for hiking boots in preparation for next Friday's Oxfam Trailwalker. They did it by setting themselves ambitious fundraising targets.
"Initially, the physical challenge was our main focus," says Lauren Mead, leader of Team Danger. But as training sessions became longer and harder, the team found a new source of motivation in fundraising. "Being able to do it for a good cause has only spurred us on further," explains Mead.
As running continues to grow in popularity, so too does the number of participants racing for a cause. In a study of 672 half-marathon participants, researchers from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia found that running in aid of a local charity made the experience more meaningful, increasing motivation and event attachment. The research, published in the Journal of Sport Management in 2010, also found that event sponsors benefited through the positive connections made by participants.
Mead's teammates are Elena Houghton, Phillipa Cook, and Phillipa de Fonblanque. They're all members of an all-female sailing team. All participating Trailwalker teams must raise a minimum of HK$6,800, which will go to Oxfam.
Team Danger set their target at HK$30,000 and held a charity auction event in September with items donated by a few local businesses. The event had 150 guests, and the target was exceeded. The women say they were surprised at how generous and supportive the Hong Kong community has been.
Houghton attributes the success to strategic planning: "We approached companies that we felt would resonate with the crowd on the night. Guests could bid on items that they were genuinely excited about and sponsors could connect with people."