It’s January and for many of us our jeans are still feeling a little too snug after Christmas, and winter hibernation is becoming a bore. 

We have exactly the antidote to these seasonal blues ... sign yourself up to join the thousands of people fundraising at RSPB challenge events across the country.

Exercise is good for us; it strengthens muscles, burns fat, keeps your heart healthy and is great for mental health. If the health benefits aren’t enough, the money you raise will help us save threatened species like nightingales, water voles and lapwings.

This year we have places in a raft of exciting events starting with the Southampton half marathon on 23 April ; the event starts in the heart of Southampton with 10,000 of you heading for the finishing line.  The highlight will be the ascent and more popularly the descent over the Itchen bridge, which will be closed exclusively for this unique event. You will have a whole mile of RSPB supporters to cheer you through. There will be 10 in the RSPB team; the registration fee (including your own RSPB running vest as pictured) is £25 and the fundraising target is £200.  Image credits - Mike Harris

Want a little more time to train? We also have places in the Vitality 10,000 in London on 29 May, Ride London100 on 30 July and The Great North Run on 10 September.

If that's not enough to convince you, maybe some of our previous fundraisers can!

"I had a thoroughly enjoyable experience which was aided enormously by delightful RSPB staff who were unfailingly helpful and supportive at every turn of events" RideLondon-Surrey 100 rider

"The atmosphere was incredible, with 58,000 other runners representing charities from all over the UK, plus the encouragement from the crowds really kept me going. I'd recommend it to anyone looking to set a new challenge for themselves and help fundraise for the RSPB." Great North Run entrant

To register your interest in any of the events above please email challenge@rspb.org.uk and we will talk you through everything you need to know to get signed up and get going!

 

 

  • Thank you for getting in touch Clare. I’m afraid we only have charity places in running and cycling events as part of the 'challenge' events this year. If you wanted to join a walking event independently and do some fundraising for us that way, we would be very happy to send you one of our RSPB vests or t-shirts for the event, just email us at the address above.

    Keep an eye on our Rainham Marshes webpage too, as we will be adding Active in Nature events throughout the year, and they run a Nordic walking club which you may find of interest- www.rspb.org.uk/.../nordic-pole-walking.aspx

    Thanks for your support!

  • Are there any events for people who hate running, and who are terrible at it?  I'm more than happy to walk at an event specifically for walkers.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.