The Running Charity
The Running Charity is a UK nonprofit that uses structured running programmes and one-to-one coaching to support 16–25-year-olds affected by homelessness and complex needs, operating across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Running Charity does
The Running Charity is an independent UK-registered nonprofit (Charity No. 1157501), founded in 2012, that uses running as a structured intervention to support young people aged 16–25 affected by homelessness, adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges, care-system or criminal-justice involvement, domestic abuse, asylum-seeking status, or addiction. Its core methodology is relational and in-person: trusted adult programme coaches run alongside members week after week, delivering one-to-one key work, group sessions, advocacy, access to counselling, and pathways to qualifications and employment. The organisation supplements this core programme with a Women's Programme (women-only hostels and sessions, funded originally by BT Supporter's Club), an Ambassador Training workshop pathway supported by ASICS, a Virtual Running offering for remote fundraising supporters, and a Run for Us service channelling supporters through events such as the London Marathon, The Big Half, and the Manchester Marathon.
The charity operates four UK hubs in London, Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton, with the Brighton location launched in 2025 via London Marathon Foundation funding. Programme delivery runs through deep partnerships with hostels and housing organisations including DePaul UK, Evolve Housing and Support, New Horizon Youth Centre, Places For People (Salford Foyer), and the Salvation Army, rather than through a proprietary technology platform. There is no core technology product; operational technology consists of standard nonprofit infrastructure: a website, e-commerce for branded merchandise (T-shirts), JustGiving and GiveStar for event fundraising, and text-to-donate via 70070 (keyword IRUN42).
Revenue is diversified across five streams: individual donations via JustGiving and text-to-donate; fundraiser entry fees and pledges tied to challenge events; foundation and trust grants (London Marathon Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good, Boost Charitable Trust, Newby Trust, BT Supporter's Club); corporate partnerships (Mercedes Benz UK, ASICS); and merchandise sales. Services are free to beneficiaries. The charity reported a near 30% income reduction during the COVID-19 pandemic, chose to retain staff rather than furlough, and adapted delivery to virtual channels (phone, WhatsApp, Zoom, virtual Parkrun). Governance sits with a Board of Trustees led by co-founder and CEO Alex Eagle, with regional managers Claude Umuhire (London) and George Bate (Manchester & Leeds).
The Running Charity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Running Charity
- Legal name
- The Running Charity
- Website
- https://therunningcharity.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Running Charity is a UK nonprofit that uses structured running programmes and one-to-one coaching to support 16–25-year-olds affected by homelessness and complex needs, operating across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Running Charity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Homelessness Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where The Running Charity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Running Charity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: The charity accepts individual donations via JustGiving and text-to-donate (e.g., IRUN42 to 70070). Donors support general operations or specific fundraising challenges.
- Fundraising Events: Supporters raise money by participating in running events (marathons, half marathons, ultra challenges) on behalf of the charity, with fundraising minimums set per event.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate organisations partner with the charity for employee engagement, cause marketing, and philanthropy (e.g., Mercedes Benz UK providing work experience opportunities; corporate team challenges).
- Merchandise Sales: The charity sells branded merchandise (T-shirts) through its e-commerce store.
- Foundation and Trust Grants: The charity receives grant funding from foundations and trusts including the London Marathon Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good, The Boost Charitable Trust, The Newby Trust, and BT Supporter's Club to fund specific programmes and geographic expansion.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services for young people aged 16–25 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
The Running Charity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Running Charity delivers running-based programmes for young people aged 16-25 affected by homelessness and complex needs. Services include structured group runs, training plans, fitness and wellbeing support, and progression pathways, delivered in partnership with hostels and outreach centres across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton.
Product overview
The Running Charity operates as a single integrated service model centred on running as a tool for empowering young people's lives. The core offering combines one-to-one coaching and mentoring with group running sessions, supplemented by a Virtual Running programme for remote supporters. Specialised services include a Women's Programme with tailored support and women-only sessions, and an Ambassador Training programme for graduates. Additional engagement channels encompass fundraising participation through Run for Us, corporate partnerships, merchandise sales, and volunteer opportunities. The charity has locations in London, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton, and Newcastle, supporting young people aged 16-25 facing homelessness and complex needs since 2012.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Running Programmes
- Women's Programme
- SMSB Ambassador Workshops
- Volunteer Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% of 103 supported members improved wellbeing; 89% improved resilience; 89% of unemployed members became employed by year-end 2020. 100% felt they could contact the charity in a crisis.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Running Charity
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Running Charity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Running Charity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Mercedes Benz UKminorMercedes Benz UK partnered with The Running Charity for work experience placements for young people and corporate team challenges (Mount Snowdon charity walk). Laureus Sport for Good is credited alongside Mercedes Benz for supporting these opportunities.
- DePaul UKcoreDePaul UK is The Running Charity's primary hostel partner in London. The charity's programmes run at DePaul's Porter Street hostel in Manchester and their London sites. Zamzam was first met through a DePaul session. Toby Hayward-Seers memorial donation supports London programmes.
- Evolve Housing and SupportcoreEvolve Housing and Support is a key housing partner across London, operating hostels including Southwark and West Kensington where The Running Charity delivers sessions. Montana was rehoused through Evolve and The Running Charity co-produced a short film about his journey.
- New Horizon Youth CentrecoreLondon-based youth homelessness day centre partnering with The Running Charity. Claude worked with young people from New Horizon, and the organisation participated in The Big Half relay event.
- Red Cross Refugee Support TeamminorRed Cross Refugee Support Team partnered with The Running Charity for The Big Half relay event, supporting their young people who participated in the race.
- Places For PeoplecorePlaces For People is a national housing and care provider whose Salford Foyer in Manchester hosts The Running Charity's Manchester hub and Ambassador workshops.
- Salvation Army (Newcastle hostel)minorRhyss was staying at a Salvation Army hostel in Newcastle when The Running Charity launched its pilot programme there in November 2017. The hostel manager connected Rhyss with the programme.
- London MarathoncoreLondon Marathon provides charity places to The Running Charity for fundraising runners. The charity's young people and supporters regularly complete the London Marathon. The Big Half is organised by London Marathon Events.
- SMSB (Sport, Mind, Body, Soul)minorSMSB delivered Ambassador Workshops in Manchester, facilitated by ASICS, with coach Chevy Rough providing inspirational sessions on breathing techniques, presentation, communication, and leadership.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Running Charity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Depaul UK: National youth homelessness charity operating accommodation and support services, and already a delivery partner of The Running Charity. Directly comparable in target population (16–25 homeless young people) and in operating hostel-based services across multiple UK cities.
- Centrepoint: Major UK charity supporting homeless young people aged 16–25 with accommodation, health, and learning services. Closest direct comparator to The Running Charity's beneficiary cohort and mission, though Centrepoint's model centres on housing provision rather than sport.
- Evolve Housing and Support: London housing and support charity for people facing homelessness, including young people. Already a delivery partner of The Running Charity; operates hostels in Southwark and West Kensington and serves the same beneficiary cohort.
- Street League: UK charity using sport (primarily football and fitness) to help disadvantaged young people into education and employment. Closest peer in the sport-for-social-good category, with a similar youth-employment outcome focus but a different sport modality.
- Crisis UK: Large national charity working to end homelessness, with a specific focus on people in contact with the streets. Comparable in mission and beneficiary cohort, though Crisis operates at significantly greater scale and runs its own education, housing, and employment programmes.
- New Horizon Youth Centre: London-based day centre for young people facing homelessness, including refugee support. Already a referral partner of The Running Charity and serves the same primary beneficiary segment with complementary (non-sport) services.
Broad incumbents
- The Prince's Trust: Large UK youth charity supporting 11–30 year-olds into education, training, and employment. Overlaps in beneficiary age range and re-engagement focus, and is a major grantmaker/funder of smaller youth charities.
Others
- Laureus Sport for Good: Global foundation funding sport-for-development programmes, and a current funder of The Running Charity. Not a direct peer but a critical ecosystem partner and a comparable sport-for-good operating model at international scale.
Emerging players
- MAC-UK: UK charity using culturally sensitive, sport and arts-based approaches to improve mental health and social inclusion for marginalised young people. Comparable in using sport/activity as a relational engagement tool with excluded youth.
- Sport in Mind: UK charity using sport and physical activity to improve mental health outcomes. Comparable in combining sport with mental-health beneficiary outcomes, though the primary population skews older than The Running Charity's 16–25 cohort.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Running Charity social profiles
Digital presenceThe Running Charity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Running Charity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Running Charity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Running Charity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Running Charity
What does The Running Charity do?
The Running Charity delivers running-based programmes for young people aged 16-25 affected by homelessness and complex needs. Services include structured group runs, training plans, fitness and wellbeing support, and progression pathways, delivered in partnership with hostels and outreach centres across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Brighton.
Is The Running Charity a public or private company?
The Running Charity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Running Charity founded?
The Running Charity was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Running Charity based?
The Running Charity is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Running Charity make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are fundraising Events, corporate Partnerships, merchandise Sales and foundation and Trust Grants.
Who are The Running Charity's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Depaul UK, Centrepoint, Evolve Housing and Support, Street League, Crisis UK and New Horizon Youth Centre. The Prince's Trust is listed as a broad incumbent. Laureus Sport for Good is listed as an others. Emerging players are MAC-UK and Sport in Mind.
Does The Running Charity have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Running Charity.
What industry is The Running Charity in?
The Running Charity's product category is Youth Homelessness Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.