Research before you lace up for fun runs this spring

Better Business Bureau

BBB offers advice for consumers looking to participate in fun runs

With the temperatures heating up here in Texas, many people are ditching the treadmill for a run in the sun. This time of year also means the 5K races and fun runs are starting to pop up almost every weekend, many to raise awareness and money for a good cause.
Unfortunately, Better Business Bureau receives reports and complaints from around the country about various fun runs that get cancelled with short notice, often with no refunds.
The stories are similar: Once participants have paid for a fun run, they will receive an email that says the race has been cancelled and “unfortunately, we’re not able to provide you with a refund.”
Last year, BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin received a report in Scam Tracker from a victim who lost money to a race that was “cancelled due to the logistics of getting equipment to Austin.” Unfortunately, the event wasn’t rescheduled and the business wasn’t legitimate.
If a 5K or fun run involves a charity, check its BBB Charity Review, which will show if it meets BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. BBB recommends contacting the charity to find out whether the actual charity is running the event or if it is using a third-party, such as a fundraising business. Also, ask how much of the registration fee you pay will go to the charity.
If you are thinking about participating in a themed fun run, BBB offers the following advice:

• Do your research. Check out the company’s BBB Business Review and search online for additional information before signing up.
• Check the local venue. Contact the park or other venue to confirm that the event is scheduled.
• 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.
• Understand the terms and conditions. In some cases, promoters say on their websites that they don’t offer refunds, but many consumers don’t read the fine print before hitting “I agree” to long online documents. Be sure to read the entry form and terms and conditions to find out if your fee is refundable if the event is canceled.
• 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. Some fun runs are for-profit, but if the promoters claim a portion of the proceeds will go to charity, check it out on give.org to make sure your donation is going to a trustworthy charity. Be wary of sound-alike names similar to more famous charities.