What is Big Marathon Month?

Big Marathon Month is a flexible challenge where you complete the length of a marathon (26.2 miles) across May to support Emmaus in any way you like.

All you have to do is complete at least 26.2 miles during the month and raise money for Emmaus. How you complete your miles is up to you — walk, run, cycle, swim, hop, skip or mix it up. Go the distance, your way.

Why take part?

Big Marathon Month is about doing what you can, in a way that works for you, while raising vital funds for Emmaus. Every mile makes a difference.

We use this month to not only raise money for Emmaus UK but to also give our physical and mental wellbeing a boost.

People who have experienced homelessness are far more likely to face poor mental health. In England alone, 82% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental health diagnosis, compared to around 12% of the general population.

While we take our strides, steps, swims, and hops, we want to keep this in mind and move for the cause. Emmaus communities across the UK help people to overcome difficult situations, trauma and poor wellbeing. This is done through social enterprise schemes, one-to-one support, providing shelter, a community, and more.

All funds raised will go towards our mission to end homelessness for any many people as possible, in a sustainable way.

The challenge

Complete at least 26.2 miles across May

Aim to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship (for either Emmaus UK or an Emmaus community)

That’s it — anything else is optional.

Ways to take part

Keep it simple: complete 26.2 miles across the month

Push yourself: aim for more miles (you could do 26.2 miles per week, 262 miles across the month individually or as a team, or multiply 26.2 miles by any number you like)

Get creative: add a twist to your miles, like art, photography or trying new activities. Here are some examples of what people have done in the past:

Ran to 26 trig points across the UK

Completed a painting for every mile ran (then mailed the painting to someone who donated to the fundraiser)

Took a picture of 26 creatures they found on their route

Tried out 26 new activities in the month

26.2 miles of Zumba

Your miles still count — however you choose to do them.

Taking part as a team

Take part with colleagues, friends, family or your community and set a shared goal, such as 26.2 miles each, 262 miles together, or a meaningful challenge of your own. Last year, teams completed 1,600 miles — the distance between all Emmaus communities across the UK.

How to take part

Once you know the challenge you want to do (for example, run 26.2 miles), set up an online fundraising page, preferably through JustGiving, with a minimum fundraising target of £100. Once you’ve added information about your fundraising challenge to your page, promote it to friends, family, and supporters to help you raise your target! In the meantime, you can get cracking with your challenge plan.

We’ll have much more resources ready soon to help you with both individual and team fundraisers.

Register your interest below or contact ‘events@emmaus.org.uk’ and we’ll get you the right information and resources as soon as we can.