Running for Joy, Not Just Medals. Lessons from a Fundraising Runner: With Charlotte Mann

2 days ago
3 min read

In the latest Sapphire Running Zone podcast, Tim Rogers sat down with Charlotte Mann, Senior Fundraising Manager for VICTA, a national charity supporting blind and partially sighted young people. Their conversation explored a refreshing perspective on running — one that prioritises enjoyment, community, and purpose over race medals and finish times. Here are the key takeaways from Charlotte’s running journey and her insights into fundraising.

Charlotte Mann, with the White Cliffs of Dover in the background. She's wearing a blue running vest and black shorts.

HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Running For Joy, not just medals

One of the most interesting aspects of Charlotte’s story is that she has not run a formal race and she’s completely happy with that. Her motivation comes from the simple joy of getting outside, clearing her mind, and staying active. For Charlotte, running is less about ticking off achievements and more about building a lifelong habit and running for joy, not just medals.

“For me, my target is just always to get out in nature and enjoy it.”

This mindset challenges a common belief among runners that they must sign up for events to stay motivated. Instead, Charlotte focuses on consistency, wellbeing, and enjoyment and she says that naturally leads to improvement over time.

The Power of Running Together

While solo runs have their place, Charlotte credits much of her enjoyment to running with others. Joining a run club transformed her routine by removing pressure around pace and adding a strong social element. Conversations, shared experiences, and post-run coffees all became part of what makes running meaningful.

“The running community is just so friendly and so supportive.”

For many runners, especially those balancing busy work lives, this sense of belonging can be just as valuable as the exercise itself.

Running as a Tool for Life Changes

Through her work with VICTA’s marathon runners, Charlotte has seen firsthand how running can become a catalyst for major personal transformation. People often start running after a health scare, life change, or personal loss. Over time, training for a marathon gives them structure, purpose, and confidence.

“From not being able to run more than 100 meters without stopping to running the London Marathon a few years later.”

These stories highlight how running is rarely just about fitness; it’s often about reclaiming control and building resilience.

Charlotte Mann with two members of the Victa charity London marathon team

Fundraising: Start with What You Love

Charlotte’s biggest advice for charity runners is simple: make fundraising personal and enjoyable. The most successful fundraisers don’t rely solely on sharing a donation link. Instead, they build creative events around their interest, from supper clubs to raffles to themed community nights. Her golden rule:

Turn something you already love into a fundraiser.

This approach makes the process feel natural rather than stressful and often raises far more money.

Choosing the Right Cause Matters

Charlotte emphasises that selecting a charity you genuinely care about can shape the entire marathon experience. When runners feel personally connected to the cause, their motivation, fundraising energy, and sense of achievement all increase. Crossing the finish line then becomes about more than completing a race; it represents the impact they’ve helped create.

A Refreshing Reminder for Runners

Charlotte’s story offers an important message: you don’t need medals, races, or personal bests to be a runner. Running can simply be about movement, connection, and wellbeing and sometimes, that’s the most powerful motivation of all.

Looking ahead: Charlotte hopes to run the London Marathon in 2027, not to chase a time, but to enjoy the experience and continue a family tradition. And if her philosophy is anything to go by, she’ll be running it for all the right reasons.