A survey of more than 300 runners, carried out by software company ASI, found that interaction between charities and their runners leading up to event was often poor, and in some cases would prevent those runners from supporting them in future.

Of those surveyed, 32% said their charity’s support in the run-up to the event had not been effective, with 38% saying their experience would not raise the likelihood of their raising funds for that particular charity in the next year. Nearly one in ten said the experience would make their support less likely.

The poll also showed a level of short-sightedness, as 58% of runners hadn’t been contacted about additional fundraising initiatives, while 65% had approached charities for sponsorship in the first instance (as opposed to charities actively seeking their support).