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Participants in cause-based endurance-training programs raise funds for a charitable cause and, are coached to complete a marathon or other endurance event (Havenar & Lochbaum, 2007). However, despite the growing popularity of these programs (Nettleton & Hardey, 2006), little research exists on the relationship between the charitable cause and the motivation to train consistently. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate runners in a cause-based marathon-training program to determine their motivations to train consistently in the program. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirteen participants. Following inductive analysis, three major general categories and four supporting categories emerged. Major categories included the growing connection with the cause, improved fitness and athleticism, and mutual training support. Supporting categories included mutual social support (unrelated to the training aspect), personal growth, fundraising, and the response from family and friends. These results contribute to the literature on cause-based training programs, and the research aimed at developing effective interventions to enhance exercise motivation and adherence.
In the late 1980s, the nonprofit sector in the United States introduced a new philanthropic paradigm by combining charitable fundraising with endurance-sport fitness training (King, 2006). Participants in cause-based training programs commit to raise a predetermined amount of funds and, in return, are coached and trained to complete a specific endurance sport event such as a marathon (Havenar & Lochbaum, 2007). The first program of this type was the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program (Team in Training, 2009). The model proved so successful that it was quickly adopted by other organizations, both for-profit and not-for-profit, particularly those with missions to fight specific diseases (King, 2006; Nettleton & Hardey, 2006). A for-profit example was the Pallotta Team Works AIDSRides, held in various locations in the United States until Pallotta Team Works ceased operations in 2002 (King, 2006). More contemporary, not-for-profit examples include two series of fundraising walks for breast cancer: the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (Edwards, 2006) and the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 -Day (King, 2006), both held in various locations around the United States.
One reason for the popularity of cause-based training programs may be their claims that the cause successfully facilitates participants' motivation to exercise. For example, the Team in Training website displays this unattributed quote: "Training's...