In October, attention often turns to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But whatever your favorite charity is, you can support it year-round–and get some healthy exercise–by participating in a fund-raising run/walk. Whether you’ve never taken part in a run before or are used to breaking the tape at the finish line, try one of the events listed below. Check each website for upcoming dates and locations.

Money raised/
Event                  Benefits                   participants

Team in Training       The Leukemia &             $81 million/35,000
teamintraining.org     Lymphoma Society           participants in 2004
MS Challenge Walk      National Multiple          $6 million/
nationalmssociety.org  Sclerosis Society          approximately 3,500
participants in 2004
Avon Walk for          The Avon Foundation        More than $60 million/
Breast Cancer          Breast Cancer              23,000 participants in
avonwalk.org           Crusade                    2003-2004
AIDS Walk              Leading AIDS charities     $12 million/86,000
aidswalk.net           across the country         participants in 2004
in 2004-2005
March of Dimes         Research institutions      $96 million/more than
Walk America           and programs that treat    20,000 teams
walkamerica.org        or work to prevent         participated in 2004
threats to babies’ health
Komen Race for         The Komen Foundation       $68 million/1.3
the Cure               Award and Research         million participants
komen.org              Grant Program, and         in 2004
community education
about breast cancer
Revlon Run/Walk        Women’s-cancer             $62 million since
for Women              research and treatment     1993/approximately
revlonrunwalk.com      services for medically     90,000 participants in
underserved women          2005
America’s Walk         American Diabetes          $18 million/
for Diabetes           Association                approximately 200,000
walk.diabetes.org                                 participants in 2004
American Cancer        American Cancer            $1.5 billion since
Society Relay          Society                    1985/3 million
for Life                                          projected in 2005
cancer.org

Event                  Ideal for

Team in Training       Marathoners Participants of all fitness levels
teamintraining.org     are provided with training and support to help
them run a marathon (26.2 miles), half-marathon
(13.1 miles) or a triathlon in separately
sponsored events around the country.
MS Challenge Walk      Long-distance walkers The challenge is the
nationalmssociety.org  distance, not the course, which covers 20 miles
on day one, 20 more on day two and 10 miles on
day three.
Avon Walk for          Long-distance walkers Walkers can choose between
Breast Cancer          a marathon or a marathon and a half (39.3 miles)
avonwalk.org           over one weekend. The course is designed for all
fitness levels with plenty of roadside support
and a wellness village to house walkers
overnight.
AIDS Walk              Speed walkers The course is a 10k (6.2 miles)
aidswalk.net           stretch on mostly flat terrain through West
Hollywood, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and
New York’s Central Park and upper west side. Most
people walk or speed walk, but joggers are
welcome.
March of Dimes         Speed walkers Most routes are approximately 6
Walk America           miles and can be completed by people of all
walkamerica.org        fitness levels.
Komen Race for         Joggers The courses in this 5k (3.1 miles) run/
the Cure               walk are all roads–no cross-country running
komen.org              here–and have very little, if any, elevation.
Although most participants walk or jog, elite
runners often join in.
Revlon Run/Walk        Joggers With 5k events right outside downtown Los
for Women              Angeles and in New York City, the walks are
revlonrunwalk.com      scenic and flat.
America’s Walk         Walkers This family-friendly event offers a
for Diabetes           choice between a 2k or 5k walk.
walk.diabetes.org
American Cancer        Walkers Teams of 10-12 take turns running or
Society Relay          walking laps around a community track or field.
for Life               No athletic proficiency is required, and there is
cancer.org             no set distance or time.