Some people run year-round, no matter the weather. But as warm days begin to outnumber cold ones, more and more people decide that running - or walking - is a great way to get in shape. They may even combine exercise with helping a good cause.
Fun runs and charity walks have become so popular that there is one almost every weekend. Some, such as the "Walk for a Cure," draw enormous crowds, helping charities raise money and providing a festival atmosphere that runners enjoy.
Some are well organized and supervised by responsible companies and charities. A few have disappointed both runners and the charities that could have benefited from them by failing to live up to expectations. Occasionally, runs have been canceled and participants have had difficulty obtaining refunds of entry fees.
Mid-Missouri Better Business Bureau advises runners to check out any company that is sponsoring a run or walk, as well as the charity behind it. A BBB Business Review, available at midmobbb.org, will show a rating from A+ down to F that takes into account factors including how long a company has been in business, whether it has had complaints and how the company has responded to them.
Read your entry form and look for terms and conditions that may cover whether your fee is refundable if the event is canceled. Keep your receipt or a copy of the registration form in case you need it later.
If a charity is involved, check its BBB Charity Review, which will show whether it meets BBB's 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. It's a good idea to contact the charity to find out whether the charity is running the event or if it is using a fundraising company. Ask how much of the entry fee you pay will go to the charity and how much to the fundraiser.
Other BBB tips for fun run participants include:
• Understand the terms and conditions. In some cases, promoters say on their websites they do not offer refunds, but many consumers do not read the fine print before paying.
• Check with the venue. Contact the city, park or other venue to confirm that promoters have filed necessary paperwork to schedule the event.
• Pay with a credit card. Charges made on a credit card can be disputed after a purchase, whereas debit, cash or wire transfer transactions cannot.
• Keep documentation of your order. After completing the online registration process, you should receive a confirmation receipt. Print out and keep a copy of the confirmation and any supporting documentation for future reference.
• Check out the charity. If the event promoters claim a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, check the charity out on midmobbb.org. If you have any doubts, call the charity to confirm that they are benefiting from the run. Be wary of charities with names that sound like or are similar to established charities.
For more BBB tips and information, go to midmobbb.org or call 573-996-8965.
Sean Spence is the Mid-Missouri regional director for Better Business Bureau.