Forget your fins and grab your runners!  Running season has kicked off around the world. And this year divers are setting personal challenges to raise funds for their favourite cause.    

The feel-good factor of finishing a run and raising funds for the ocean you love can’t be matched. If you’ve got a run planned this year why not fundraise too?

Whether you opt for a 5km fun run, a 10km event, a half marathon or jump straight into a full marathon there’s no doubt you’ll get an extra buzz if you run for a cause close to your heart.

Next week, a crew from Eko Divers Singapore will run the Sundown marathon for Project AWARE. “As divers, we want to increase awareness for ocean protection and raise money for Project AWARE’s shark initiatives,” said Stefan Cole, Manager Eco Divers. Running for sharks will give the team extra motivation to cross the finish line.  You can sponsor our three Singapore runners today: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/divers_for_sharks

In the UK, Pedro Mendes is also training hard. He completed 7 sporting events in 2011 to raise money for Project AWARE and he’s doing it all again! “This year the bar will be raised, as I will be training harder than ever before, with the aim to significantly beat all of my times across the same distances – fuelled by my own pledge to donate £3 for every minute that I take off of my 2011 times,” said Pedro. Way to go. Please give generously to Pedro here:http://www.justgiving.com/pedro-project-aware

Today, online sponsorship makes fundraising simple. It’s easy to ask your friends to support your latest challenge, big or small. So what are you waiting for? Grab your runners and run, run, run. Or if that's too energetic simply sponsor one of the fantastic runners on this page and have a cup of tea instead.

A big thanks to all our runners and good luck.