Hosting a Fun Run grows your supporter base because it isn’t just about getting to the finish line. Families and friends can train together or simply show up and have fun. Fun runs are for everyone! Adding unique Fun Run ideas and fun run themes – think costumes, games, contests, and after-parties – that add to the fun is always encouraged.
Let’s explore the best fun run themes to excite supporters and enhance your next race.
9 Awesome Fun Run Ideas and Themes
Our Fun Run ideas add an extra dose of fun by adding a theme or costume to the run. Everyone falls in love with the fun run because the entire experience is enjoyable and energetic whether participants run, walk, or roll. The ideas are endless, but here are nine great fun run concepts to run with.
The Best Fun Run Theme: Color Runs
Color Runs are great school crowdfunding events that attract people of all ages with that extra pop of color during the run. A Fun Run is accomplished by including packets of colorful powders at registration and for spectators. The participants wear white and enjoy the run with bursts of colors flying all around. The result is sure to be a rainbow-like load of fun.
Learn more on how to fundraise with a Color Run.
Pajama Runs or Onesie Runs
Another Fun Run idea to consider is the pajama run or onesie run. Participants gear up in their pajamas before the event begins. Onesies have recently made a comeback in style, oftentimes mimicking animals like unicorns and foxes, and can be a fun idea for young ones and adults together. A more easily accessible outfit can simply be pajamas, in which events like Pajama Jamboree or Pajama Jog are names that roll well with the theme. This is another excellent Fun Run idea for schools.
Disney-Themed Fun Runs
An event that is fun for the younger crowd of elementary school fundraising is a Disney-themed fun run. Parents and kids can get their best Elsa or Aladdin costumes and run with the enthusiasm of Moana singing out at sea. Disney is not limited to princesses or new movies but can also involve the classics – like Mickey Mouse or Minnie Mouse ears. Everyone has their favorite.
Night Light Runs or Glow Runs
Another fun run idea is a night light or glow run for more pep and energy without the sun’s heat. Consider this idea a party that happens while running or walking to the finish line. The event typically has a DJ playing high-energy music, and participants are given glow sticks to have fun on their walk. Participation in this event draws camaraderie by costume, where walkers can upgrade their outfits with glow-in-the-dark socks, shoelaces, body paint, and clothing.
TV Show-Themed or Movie-Themed Fun Runs
Another excellent option for fun run themes is to design a run after a TV show or movie. With the ever-growing popularity of shows like Game of Thrones or Star Wars, why not let people don their best Daenerys wig or Princess Leia buns? Start the enthusiasm with your themed Fun Run crowdfunding website to excite participants. Sell custom-themed apparel for those who want to buy something last minute.
Halloween Costume Runs
If the Fun Run is happening around Halloween, why not go with the flow of the theme and make it a Halloween costume run? Kids love Halloween and look forward to another chance to wear their favorite costumes. A popular way to end the run is to host the best costume contests for the run participants. School fun runs and walks are often held in the fall, making this a great fundraising option for schools.
Jingle Bell Jog-a-thon/Santa-Themed Fun Runs
Should you host a fundraising walk or run during winter, it’s only natural to make it a holiday-themed fundraising event. Everyone can get into the holiday spirit! A famous walk in New York City is called SantaCon, where the participants are welcome to join in costume as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, or elves and Santa helpers. You can also do a Jingle Bell Jog, where everything from holiday sweaters to Christmas-themed costumes counts as an outfit.
Water Gun Runs
Marathons and Fun Runs can get hot, especially during the summer. Why not add a fun and cooling aspect to the run with water features or water guns? Registration packages can include a small water gun so everyone can enjoy the fun. What’s great with water runs is that the event can have added activities, like water slides, water balloon fights, and water sprinklers on the sidelines, for little ones and spectators to have fun.
Zombie Runs or Zombie Lurch
Zombies are always popular, from shows like The Walking Dead and iZombie to movies like Dawn of the Dead. Then there is the ever-classic music video, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Becoming a zombie can be a fun theme for your Fun Run or obstacle course fundraiser, especially around Halloween. This one may be too scary for young kids, but high school students will love it.
Start Your Fun Run Off on the Right Foot with a Donor-Friendly Fun Run Website
One of the most pivotal parts of a Fun Run fundraiser is ensuring you have the right peer-to-peer fundraising software to help you succeed. Choosing a Fun Run software platform that will make your jog-a-thon or run as professional as it is fun is easy with DoJiggy! We have all the features you need to succeed without breaking the bank.
Here are some key features of our free software for fun runs and walks:
- We make sure that registration is easy and secure.
- Administrators can import participants – some schools like to import all students with their page.
- Leaderboards and fundraising thermometers that help to motivate your participants.
- Flat-rate and per unit (i.e., lap or mile) pledges are accepted with our DoJiggy-Athon platform.
- Easy entry of offline donations and checks.
- A customizable prize management system that offers easy reporting and prize widgets.
- Social media integration for easy shares.
- Custom URLs, text to donate, and QR codes to get supporters on your page.
Maximize Funds with Jog-a-thon and Fun Run Fundraising Ideas
Event sponsors can alleviate the burden of event costs and give an impactful push toward your fundraising goals. Cultivating sponsor relationships is essential for finding and building long-lasting relationships with sponsors and supporters.
Tiered Sponsorship Levels for Event Sponsors
When approaching businesses for sponsorships, they want to know the publicity options and incentives available for their support. Since fun runs attract large crowds, there are many opportunities during the day that can benefit a corporate or business sponsor. Consider offering different levels of sponsorship, where the more money they donate, the more incentives become available.
Some sponsor incentives can include the following:
- Advertisements: Consider where the sponsor’s logo can be displayed to the runners and event supporters. For example, if you have a step-and-repeat backdrop for people to take photos, offer the more significant sponsors of $1,000 or more an opportunity to include their logo on the backdrop (so it appears in every photo taken). Your school website provides another place for sponsorship promotion. Another incentive is to allow sponsors to set up a table at the event and hand out free giveaways and promotional materials.
- Speaking Opportunities: For higher-level sponsors, speaking slots during the Fun Run party can be an excellent way to reach prospective customers. A 1-2 minute slot announcing raffle prizes or winners is another excellent incentive for sponsors.
- Social Media Mentions: While ramping up towards the event, an option for social media content can include mentioning sponsors and thanking them for their support, along with a blurb on the business. This can include a post on social media platforms or an excerpt in newsletters.
Don’t Forget In-Kind Donations
While monetary donations are ideal, fun runs also require prizes, giveaways, participant drinks, and other materials to be successful. Consider asking for things that would otherwise cost money, such as donating the medals for the attendees or winners, giveaways to offer in goody bags, raffle prizes, and refreshments. Customized accessories like sweatbands, water bottles, and t-shirts are also helpful in-kind donations to consider.
Fun Run After-Party Fun
A Fun Run after-party is a must, not only for raising money but for making the running event fun. Have local bands play and award prizes to the top fundraisers. Allow sponsors to showcase and sell their wares at booths. This is your chance to shine and excite your participants for your mission and next year’s walk.
Here are some ideas to earn more at your Fun Run celebration:
- Local food trucks can come and donate a percentage of funds to your cause
- Silent auctions with donated baskets and gift certificates
- Fundraising raffles are always popular
- Wine pulls work for community events
Especially for School Fun Runs
Fun Runs are the perfect fundraiser for schools, as they encourage youth exercise and team building. Students get excited about the big day and are happy to fundraise for your school. The best school fun runs and jog-a-thons include training time for the kids, team-building exercises for classrooms working together to raise funds, and school spirit pep rallies and initiatives.
How to Organize a Fun Run or Jog-a-thon
For all the ins and outs of a successful fun run, check out our blog: Organizing a Fun Run in 11 Steps.
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