Exercising for a good cause retained its popularity in 2009, but the amount raised by people running, walking or cycling in "thons" fell by 7.6% due to the economic downturn, according to the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council, the leading authority on athletic event fundraising.

The top thirty "thon" fundraising programs generated more than $1.62 billion in gross revenue for charity last year, down from $1.76 billion in 2008, the council’s fourth annual "Run Walk Ride Thirty" study reports. The collective $133.9 million drop was the first overall decrease in revenue ever recorded by the company, which held its annual conference in Dallas today.

"Getting people to take part in fundraising runs, walks and rides was not a major problem in 2009, but many participants found it more difficult to raise as much as they had in the past," said RWRFC president David Hessekiel. "Due to the economic downturn many people had to reduce the amount they gave to friends or colleagues participating in thons," he said. Nearly 11.3 million people participated in the top thirty programs last year.

Twenty of the top thirty programs experienced lower revenue in 2009, according to the survey, a summary of which can be found on www.runwalkride.com.

The top five programs by total revenue in 2009 were:

"The top five demonstrate the diversity in this field," said Hessekiel. "With a short walk, a 5-K run, a relay and an individual endurance program, thon fundraising offers healthy ways to help others for everyone from the couch potato to the driven athlete," said Hessekiel.

It took gross revenue of $7.2 million for The Rodman Ride for Kids to snag the 30th spot on the 2009 list, a position the Massachusetts-based bicycle ride held in 2008 with $6.3 million in revenue. "Most of the growth we saw in 2009 occurred among smaller programs that either adopted enhanced marketing and management techniques or expanded to new markets," said Hessekiel. "Sharing information on how to work smarter is what the Run Walk Ride Fundraising Council is all about," he added.

Projections solicited from program leaders indicate that most expect their revenue to be flat or slightly up in 2010.

The Run Walk Ride Thirty is based on survey responses from the professionals who manage major athletic event fundraising programs. If a nonprofit does not participate, the council seeks out public information to obtain key statistics. If public information is not available, the group estimates performance by applying the median gross revenue growth figure among reporting groups.

A study summary is available at www.runwalkride.com. A CD with extensive survey data is available for purchase on the group's website and is provided at no cost to dues-paying RWRFC members.

For further information, contact the council at (914) 921-3914 or info@runwalkride.com.

Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum

The Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum provides managers of athletic event fundraising programs with practical information, valuable connections and recognition for outstanding achievement via www.peertopeerforum.com, conferences, workshops and distance learning programs.

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