Heart Runners FAQs

We provide Charity Places to runners in third party runs. Own place runners secure their places directly from the event organisers. If you've signed up to the Heart Runners team as an own place runner and have not received a place from the race organisers, you should contact us on 0844 477 1181.

Yes! Whatever event you are taking part in we would love you to join our Heart Runners team. Contact us on 0844 477 1181 or email heartrunners@bhf.org.uk and we'll send you your pack and running top.

You'll need to complete an application form from the event page. You'll be asked why you would like to run for us, what your fundraising pledge is and how you hope to raise it. There is also an opportunity to highlight any existing relationships you have with the BHF and past fundraising activity. We aim to let you know the result of your application as soon as possible - ideally within 10 working days.

Our Heart Runners team is one of the most popular charity running teams. Event organisers give us a small number of places so demand is high. It's important we offer places to runners who are able raise awareness and money for us. Your application form is the only information we look at when deciding whether to offer you a place, so it's important to answer the questions fully. We then assess each individual application.

We incur costs by being involved in third party running events so it's important that you reach your fundraising pledge. If you think that you will have any trouble meeting your pledge you should contact us. We will be able to talk through your options and provide you with practical and effective fundraising ideas to help you get back on track.

This does not apply to own place runners as they have paid their own expenses.

Because we pay for Charity Places, the runners who are allocated one of these are required to make and meet a fundraising pledge. As a charity we need to make sure that not only do we cover the cost of these places, but also make money for our charitable work.

Own place runners secure and pay for,their own place from the race organiser. This means that we incur minimal costs, and the money you raise will go towards our charitable work, so we don't ask for a fundraising pledge.

If you are offered a Charity Place you will be asked to pay a registration fee. Your place will only be secured once we have received this payment. This money is then used to off-set the VAT we pay when purchasing your place, and covers some of our costs.

Unfortunately the tax claimed on Gift Aid donations for third party runs does not form part of your fundraising total. However, you should encourage your sponsors to tick the Gift Aid box if they are UK tax payers as this is an important source of additional income for us.

We understand that there are many extremely worthy causes, but as we incur costs by being involved in the event, it's important that as much money as possible is raised for us. If you are allocated a Charity Place it is with the understanding that all fundraising generated is forwarded to the BHF – even if you exceed your fundraising pledge. If a BHF place is being used to fundraise for another charity, we reserve the right to take back the place from the runner concerned.

This rule does not apply to own place runners.

All runners must complete their own application form and make an individual pledge. If you would like to run as a team contact us on 0844 477 1181 so that your records can be linked.

Yes - though the exact age depends on the event in question. Age restrictions are conditions of the run organisers and are strictly adhered to.

To run in the Virgin London Marathon, Paris, Berlin, New York and Chicago Marathons and Bupa London 10,000 you must be 18 on the day on the event

To run in the Bupa Great North, South and Manchester Runs: you must be 17 on the day on the event.

There are no maximum age restrictions, though we recommend that any runners aged 65 and over speak to their doctor before signing up.

All Heart Runners are advised to follow a good training programme to ensure that your body is fit enough to run. We will provide our Heart Runners with a set of training plans and tips and you'll also have access to our team trainer.

Long distance running is a strenuous activity and you must ensure that you are in good health. If you have a medical condition which could be adversely affected by exercise, you are aged 65 or above, or if you have any doubts about your health, you must have your doctors permission before taking part.

If you are a Charity Place runner and have to withdraw, you should contact the Heart Runners Support Team as soon as possible so that your place can be passed to a runner on our waiting list. If you withdraw, you are no longer asked to meet your fundraising pledge.

In some cases it's possible for own place runners to defer entry if you have secured your own place. You will need to contact the event organisers directly to arrange this.

If you have collected any sponsorship money this should be returned to your sponsors or forwarded to us.

Fundraising deadlines are six weeks after the event. If you have any problems in meeting this deadline you should contact us as soon as possible.

We call our team of runners Heart Runners. Each year around 6,000 people join the Heart Runners team raising over £2 million for our vital life-saving work - a truly amazing achievement!

Call 0844 477 1181 or email heartrunners@bhf.org.uk - we would love to hear from you!