Charity Running Places & Challenges: Join Team SOS - SOS – Sumatran Orangutan Society
A Team SOS charity runner wearing an orange vest celebrating during the London Marathon.


Take on a challenge for orangutans

As someone who cares about orangutans and their habitat, have you ever considered that your next personal milestone—whether it is a first-time 10K, a local half marathon, or a bucket-list race—could directly fund the conservation work that supports them?

That’s exactly what Team SOS is about. You take on a physical challenge that pushes you, and we help you every single step of the way. Together, we turn your miles into measurable protection for wild orangutans and the ancient forests they depend on.

Whether you’ve never entered an organised race before or you’re looking for a running challenge that goes far beyond the finish line, there is a place for you on our team.

TCS London Marathon 2027: Your Best Chance at the World’s Greatest Race

Did you know that over 1.3 million people applied for the recent TCS London Marathon public ballot, all competing for just 20,000 places? That is less than a 2% chance of success.

But here is your secret weapon: applying for a TCS London Marathon charity place with Team SOS gives you a vastly superior chance of standing on that start line in Greenwich . Right now, we have fewer than 20 applicants for our 5 exclusive charity places. Your odds with Team SOS are incomparably better than the public lottery.

If you have always dreamed of running down The Mall on Sunday 25 April 2027, a Team SOS charity place is your most realistic path to making it happen.

Because we are a small, close-knit conservation charity, we don’t treat you like a number. Every single Team SOS runner receives:

  • Dedicated, friendly 1-on-1 training and fundraising support to help you smash your goals.
  • Our iconic orange running vest to wear with pride.
  • A direct, transparent connection to the exact conservation projects your miles are funding.

“Today was the most incredible day. Hard, but so memorable! Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this incredible event.” – Recent Team SOS Marathon Runner

When the training miles get tough, knowing that every single stride is keeping wild orangutans safe will carry you all the way to the finish line.

Apply for a Team SOS TCS London Marathon Charity Place

UK Running Challenges: Find Your Perfect Distance

A full marathon isn’t for everyone right now—and that is absolutely fine. If you are new to running or looking for a shorter distance, we have secured guaranteed charity entries in some of the UK’s most popular, high-energy race events.

These shorter distances are brilliant, welcoming entry points into fundraising, and the money you raise achieves real, measurable milestones on the ground. Every place comes with the exact same personal support and warm Team SOS community that our marathon runners enjoy

If you’ve already got a place in an event, you can still fundraise for SOS. Just email us at info@orangutans-sos.org and we’ll support you all the way.

Saucony London 10K Charity Places

  • Date: Sunday, 12 July 2026
  • The Experience: Run past London’s most famous historic landmarks—including Big Ben and Westminster Abbey—on entirely closed roads, soundtracked by live bands and DJ stations.
  • The Impact: Raising the £150 fundraising target could fully fund an essential community patrol to monitor biodiversity and identify illegal threats to the forest.
  • Details: Registration Fee: £25 | Fundraising Target: £150
Secure your place

Manchester Half Marathon Charity Places

  • Date: Sunday, 4 October 2026
  • The Experience: Renowned as one of the flattest, friendliest, and most supportive half marathons in the UK—absolutely ideal if you are attempting 13.1 miles for the very first time.
  • The Impact: Smashing the £300 fundraising target could almost completely fund a canopy survey to locate safe tree-crossing points for wild orangutans.
  • Details: Registration Fee: £30 | Fundraising Target: £300
Secure your place

Oxford Half Marathon Charity Places (Sold Out to the Public!)

  • Date: Sunday, 11 October 2026
  • The Experience: General public tickets are completely sold out! The only way onto the starting line of this stunning, historic architectural route is with an exclusive charity place.
  • Details: Registration Fee: £30 | Fundraising Target: £300
Secure your place

London Landmarks Half Marathon Charity Places

  • Date: Sunday, 4 April 2027
  • The Experience: A fabulously quirky, cultural tour weaving through the hidden history of the City of London and Westminster, boasting the best roadside entertainment in the UK.
  • The Impact: Reaching your fundraising milestone could cover the £363 needed to fund an expert survey team to map out canopy bridge locations, keeping orangutans safely off the ground.
  • Details: Registration Fee: £30 | Fundraising Target: £400

Manchester Marathon 2027 Charity Places

  • Date: Sunday, 18 April 2027
  • The Experience: Take on the UK’s second-largest marathon! Famous for its unparalleled local crowds and a flat course with minimal elevation, it is a brilliant alternative to London.
  • Details: Registration Fee: £60 | Fundraising Target: £500
Secure your place

Create Your Own Independent Challenge

Organised running races aren’t for everyone—but making a tangible difference is something anyone can do.

You can create your own fundraising challenge completely on your own terms. You could cycle a distance that means something to you, swim, walk your local trails, or do something wonderfully unexpected (it’s amazing what you can do with a lot of orange hair dye)!

Whatever you choose to take on, we will support you with everything you need to fundraise effectively and make your challenge count for wild orangutans.

Explore the SOS Challenge Hub

Ready to Take the First Step?

You’ve already shown how deeply you care about Sumatra’s wildlife. Joining Team SOS turns that care into action—measurable, tangible action that protects wild animals and the ancient rainforest they call home.

Explore our events, get in touch with our friendly team with any questions at info@orangutans-sos.org, and let’s find your perfect challenge.

Explore All Events on the SOS Challenge Hub

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