Running events

Run for Dreamflight – Turn your miles into magic

Running for Dreamflight isn’t just a race, it’s a chance to create life-changing moments that stay with a child long after the finish line. Whether you’re taking on your first 5K or pushing yourself to a marathon, your miles help spark new possibilities, new friendships and unforgettable adventures.

Choose your running event

Below are some of our most popular running events. You can sign up where places are available, or register your interest now to hear about future opportunities.

Bath Half Marathon

A popular and friendly half marathon through the historic streets of Bath, perfect for first‑timers and experienced runners alike.

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Schneider Electric Marathon De Paris

Run through the heart of Paris, taking in iconic landmarks as you tackle one of Europe’s most celebrated marathons.

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London Landmarks

A unique, closed‑road half marathon through Westminster and the City, passing some of London’s most recognisable sights.

Join the waiting list

Brighton Marathon

A vibrant coastal marathon with an incredible atmosphere, finishing along Brighton’s famous seafront.

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Manchester Marathon

A flat, fast marathon known for its brilliant crowd support, ideal for chasing a personal best or completing your first 26.2 miles.

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Edinburgh Running Festival

Choose from a range of distances during this scenic running weekend, set against the backdrop of Scotland’s capital city.

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Hackney Half Marathon

A lively London half marathon with a festival feel, combining closed roads, music and an unforgettable atmosphere.

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Saucony London 10K

An iconic, closed‑road 10K through central London, passing famous landmarks with live music and cheering crowds along the route.

Registration Closed

The Baxters Loch Ness Marathon

A breath taking marathon along the shores of Loch Ness, offering a scenic point‑to‑point route through the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

Join the waiting list

Royal Parks Half

A stunning half marathon through London’s Royal Parks, offering a rare chance to run traffic‑free through some of the capital’s most beautiful green spaces.

Join the waiting list

Barcelona Half Marathon

A fast, flat half marathon through the streets of Barcelona, known for its incredible atmosphere, sunshine and PB‑friendly course.

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Hampton Court Half Marathon

A scenic half marathon with a flat, traffic‑free route through the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace and along the River Thames.

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5K Runs

Friendly, accessible events that suit every ability. A great place to start your running challenge for Dreamflight. Ideal for building confidence at your own pace.

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10K Runs

Popular challenges for runners of all levels. Choose a 10K that suits your pace and your goals. A steady step up that still feels enjoyable.

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Half Marathon

Well‑loved races with brilliant atmospheres. Ideal if you want a meaningful running challenge with plenty of support along the way.

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Marathon

Iconic 26.2 mile events that offer a memorable and rewarding challenge. Choose a marathon and make every mile count.

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Our partnership with Run for Charity

We’re proud to be in partnership with Run for Charity, which allows us to offer places in hundreds of running events across the UK and beyond. Through this partnership, you can choose from everything from local 5Ks to iconic bucket‑list races, helping you find the event that feels right for you. Many of these places are available as charity places. This means you pay a charity entry fee and commit to fundraising for Dreamflight. Your fundraising is what helps children with serious illnesses and disabilities experience the holiday of a lifetime – and we’ll support you every step of the way.

Explore more Dreamflight challenge events

Fundraising Target

Most running events have a minimum fundraising target, which helps us continue providing life‑changing experiences for the children we support. Targets vary depending on the event, but we’ll guide you every step of the way to help you reach yours.

Looking for something different?

You’re welcome to explore the full Run for Charity event list to search by location, distance, or event type. If you spot something that isn’t featured on our website, please get in touch. While not all events have a pre‑agreed charity rate, we may be able to explore options or advise on the best way to fundraise for Dreamflight.

Browse all Run for Charity events

Already have your own place?

Already secured your own place directly with an event organiser? That’s absolutely fine. Many of our runners choose to fundraise for Dreamflight using their own place, and we’re just as grateful. However you join Team Dreamflight, we’ll be there to support you with fundraising ideas, encouragement, and guidance along the way.

Got a question about running for Dreamflight?

From choosing the right distance to understanding how charity places work, our Running FAQs are here to help

View Running FAQs

General fundraising opportunities 

If running isn’t your thing, there are so many other ways to get involved. From fun, creative challenges to simple ideas you can do with friends, family or colleagues, fundraising for Dreamflight can be whatever you want it to be.

Whether it’s a bake sale, quiz night, sponsored silence, dress‑down day, office challenge or something completely your own, every pound raised helps create moments of confidence, independence and joy for Dreamflight children.

If you’ve got an idea, or you’re not quite sure where to start, we’d love to help. Drop us a line at fundraising@dreamflight.org and we’ll support you with ideas, encouragement and everything you need to get going.

Running FAQ's

Not at all. Dreamflight has places in events for every ability, from friendly 5Ks to major marathons. Whether you are brand‑new to running or taking on a big milestone race, you’ll receive plenty of support from us along the way.

A charity place is an entry offered at a reduced charity fee in exchange for committing to a fundraising target for Dreamflight. Once you sign up, we will guide you through setting up your fundraising page, share ideas, and help you stay motivated.

That’s absolutely fine. Many runners choose to use their own place in an event and fundraise for Dreamflight independently. Just let us know you’re taking part so we can support you with fundraising and resources.

Yes. If you’ve secured your own place directly with an organiser, you’re very welcome to run for Dreamflight. There’s no minimum fundraising requirement for own‑place runners — just raise what you can and we’ll support you all the way.

Fundraising targets vary by event. Charity‑place events usually come with a minimum target, which helps us continue providing life‑changing experiences for children. We’ll clearly explain the target before you register and help you reach it.

You’ll receive a Dreamflight T‑shirt or running vest, personalised support from our fundraising team, ideas for reaching your target, and regular check‑ins so you always know what to expect. We’re here to help from the moment you sign up.

Yes. Many people run with friends, family or colleagues. If you’re entering as a workplace team, we can also provide tailored support and resources to help make your team effort a success.

Most runners use platforms such as JustGiving or Enthuse to set up a fundraising page quickly and easily. Once you register, we will send you helpful guidance, tips on sharing your story, and links to get started.
We can also provide official Dreamflight images, and approved content if you would like your page or social posts to look consistent with our brand. Just let us know, and we will be happy to share what you need.

Age limits depend on the event organiser. Most UK races allow under‑18s with parental consent, and some distances have minimum age rules. Check the individual event details, and if you’re unsure, we can help clarify.

We’ll send you a welcome email, information about your chosen event, your fundraising target (if applicable), and support to help you get started. As race day approaches, we’ll keep in touch with reminders, encouragement and useful tips.

Life happens, and we understand. Let us know as soon as possible so we can work with the organiser to discuss options. If you are unable to take part, we will still support you with any funds raised and help plan a future challenge if you want to try again.

Yes. If the event you want offers a virtual option, you can still run for Dreamflight using your own place. Let us know and we’ll support you with fundraising resources just as we would for an in‑person event.

Think about your current fitness, how much time you have to train, and what sort of challenge feels exciting rather than overwhelming. Our distance pages (5K, 10K, Half and Marathon) can help you decide, or you can email us for personalised guidance.

Ultra Challenge Series 2026

18 Dec 2025

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London Marathon 2027

28 Jul 2026

Were you lucky enough to get a place in the London Marathon ballot? Congratulations! We’d love you to consider running…

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Orlando 2026 here we come!

24 Jul 2026

Our next life-changing trip to Orlando is now under 100 sleeps away! The countdown is officially on and we’re delighted…

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Aidan’s ace of a day

21 Jul 2026

Congratulations to our wonderful ambassador, former Dreamflight child Aidan, on raising over £32,000 at his recent golf day at Garforth…

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