BLOG: Take on a personal challenge and give back in 2025
The New Year is a great source of motivation to take on a new challenge. Groundwork’s fundraising events are a great way to work towards your fitness goals and give back – join us in creating a fair and green future for all by taking on a sponsored trek or run in 2025.
What challenge events are Groundwork offering?
In 2025, Groundwork has places in the Great North Run as well as several Ultra Challenge treks of varying distances throughout England. Hike anything from 10 to 100 kilometres or take on a half marathon – there are events for all interests and abilities which provide the opportunity to make friends, get fit and experience the beautiful English countryside.
How to prepare
Beginning training in the winter months can seem daunting, but exercise during those colder and shorter days gets you outside and moving, providing fantastic health and wellbeing benefits.
Here’s our list of top tips to get help get you ‘up and running’ for your 2025 charity challenge this winter.
Set realistic goals
Once you’ve signed up for your Groundwork charity challenge, you can work backwards from the event date to set training and fundraising goals. Stick to good old pen and paper with a written calendar or diary for your training, or try one of the free apps such as Runna, Runkeeper and Strava to track your progress.
Don’t feel disheartened if you miss days because of bad weather, or can’t match your best times in winter conditions – rest days are beneficial to recover and build strength.
Fundraising targets can seem daunting, plenty of smaller fundraising events throughout the year keep you working toward your target steadily. Indoor activities such as bake sales, quizzes or coffee mornings are perfect for the winter.
Keep warm and energised during training
Staying warm with the right winter gear can make all the difference. For clothing, a few lightweight and waterproof layers are a good route to go down, starting with thermal leggings and a breathable nylon top – but remember that when you start to move, you’ll warm up nicely! Cosy headwear and gloves keep the chill off. For footwear consider good quality running trainers or walking boots. Waterproof shoes with good grip can be a help in adverse weather.
Building stamina can take time, but going at your own pace, taking breaks and eating right will help you get there. High energy snacks such as dates, trail mix, bananas and jelly beans can be eaten on the go to give you the boost you need to power through to the end of your training session.
Staying hydrated will help you go further, and it’s natural to feel less thirsty in cold weather. Hydrate with water or electrolytes such as coconut water or sports drinks.
Sign up today
When you take on a challenge for Groundwork you’ll get plenty of guidance and support, as well as access to training resources. Our support continues after the race or trek too – to help you reach your fundraising target. Join Team Groundwork and help build a fairer and greener future.
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a federation of charities with a collective mission to take practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. We support communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to healthier, happier lives for all: www.groundwork.org.uk