Marathon March 2024: Everything you need to know and how to get involved
The Marathon March is returning to south London on the 12th of October, here’s everything you need to know about our biggest fundraiser!
WHAT IS THE MARATHON MARCH?
The Marathon March is now in its eighth year and has secured its place in the calendars of hundreds of Palace fans. Sponsoring this year’s March once again is the amazing Utilita Giving, who support people out of fuel and food poverty,
The Marathon March does what it says on the tin. It’s a marathon, but instead of running, we walk, talk, and make new friends and connections on the way. We always start at Selhurst Park and see some sights, like Clapham Common, Wandle Park, and Battersea Park on route, before finishing back where we started with a party at the stadium. Keep an eye on your emails and social media for the route announcement.
Since 2016, Palace fans have raised over half a million pounds for young people across our community, and with a record-breaking total of participants last year – 200 – and money raised – £102,000 – we need your help to make it even bigger for 2024.
We ask everybody who signs up to pay a £25 registration fee and ask that they pledge to fundraise at least £300 – don’t worry, we have a dedicated fundraising team and guide who can help you with this.
This isn’t a race and it’s not competitive – it’s a chance for Palace fans to get together, chat Palace and do something for the local community. Although we won’t complain if you make the fundraising element of the march competitive…
WHEN IS THE MARATHON MARCH?
The 2024 Marathon March is on Saturday the 12th of October. We always organise it during the autumn international break to ensure it doesn’t clash with any of Palace’s Premier League matches.
On the day itself, we will provide you with your Marathon March shirt as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner to keep you fuelled up during the 26.2-mile walk. Once you cross the finish line, your finishers medal, and a free drink will be waiting for you.
Keep an eye out on your emails and social media for the 2024 Marathon March shirt announcement!
WHY SHOULD I DO THE MARATHON MARCH?
There are a few reasons why any Palace fan should sign up. Firstly, it’s to raise money for young people in south London.
We already run tried and tested programmes to help improve young people’s mental and physical health, advance their employment prospects, and support them with mental health challenges through mentoring. We all love south London, but we know it can be tough growing up here. We know our programmes work, but we need more funds to reach more people. The money you raise by doing the Marathon March helps us do exactly that.
Secondly, it’s good exercise!
You don’t need us to tell you walking is great exercise. It’s a long way, but there are food, tea and coffee breaks and you’ll have the support and company of fellow Palace fans’ – many who have done it before and can give you their top tips!
Which leads us on to our third reason: Palace fans walking together.
Last year, over 200 people took part. That’s over 200 Palace fans of all different ages, backgrounds and fitness levels. Whilst everyone’s passion for walking might be different, everyone has something in common: Palace. It’s a great chance to meet other fans, chat about your club and the ways that together, you’ll be making south London a better place for young people.
Read more about our work in the news section of our website, or on our social channels!
WHAT’S THE ROUTE?
This year’s March will feature familiar landmarks like Battersea Bridge and Streatham Common but will include more green spaces and start in the opposite direction compared to last year.
Kicking off where it always does at Selhurst Park, marchers will travel past Selhurst train station and through Croydon High Street, before hitting four parks in a row: Wandle Park, Beddington Park, King George’s Park, and Wandsworth Park, and many more sights along the way.
Check out the route here
The march concludes back at Selhurst Park with a lap of honour, a free drink, dinner, and a party!
FUNDRAISING: HOW DO I DO IT?
Fundraising can be daunting prospect, especially in the climate we’re living in now. We understand that asking friends and family to donate to your fundraiser isn’t always possible. But we are on hand to help you with that. We have just launched our brand-new fundraising guide which includes tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your fundraising, and we have a team of fundraising experts who can help you with any questions you have.
If you don’t want to fundraise on your own, you can do so as a team! More details on that in the next section.
THE DETAILS: HOW DO I JOIN?
You can sign up to the Marathon March here.
Everyone taking part is asked to pay a registration fee of £25 (£20 for half route, £10 under 18s) and to commit to raising a minimum of £300 each in sponsorship.
If you want to fundraise as a family or a group we ask you to commit to the below pledges:
- Group of four = £600
- Group of five = £750
- Group of six = £900
- Group of 7+ = £1,000
Want some help with fundraising? Read our brand-new fundraising guide, here.
Please contact our fundraising team (fundraising@palaceforlife.org) to let us know if you are fundraising as a group or if you have any other questions!