How to back a marathon dream in Los Angeles safely

Backing a marathon dream means giving to a real person with a real goal. You see the plan before you give, money is held per milestone and you decide when each part is released.

Marathon preparation stretches beyond race entry to months of training, equipment wear and travel. Show Backers a build-up, a tested race setup and participation proof without promising a finish time.

How Backers are protected

14-day review per milestone

When proof is posted, each Backer has 14 days to release their share or ask for more. Money not released in time goes back to the Backer.

15% fee, deducted — never added

Backers pay exactly what they choose. The 15% fee comes out of each backing: $100 gives the Dreamer $85. The fee is kept if money is returned.

Gifts, not shares

Backings are gifts. No shares, equity, interest or repayment, and Dreamers keep full ownership. Nothing on cohero is an investment or a loan.

  1. 01

    Before you back

    Read the story and the milestones. Check that the amounts add up and that each step has something concrete to prove. If anything is unclear, ask in chat first.

  2. 02

    While the dream runs

    Your backing is split across the milestones. When proof is posted you are notified and can release your share or ask for more. You can back anonymously.

  3. 03

    If something goes wrong

    If you do not release a milestone in time, the money still held for it and later steps comes back to you, minus the fee. You can report a dream or block a user at any time.

Example milestone plan

An example plan for a marathon dream with a goal of $3,500. Backers fund the whole goal, but each milestone's money stays held until you post the proof and Backers release it.

  1. Milestone 1

    $700 · 20%

    Set race and baseline

    Post race registration confirmation, a dated training outline and a baseline activity summary with private details hidden.

  2. Milestone 2

    $875 · 25%

    Build training consistency

    Share a dated training log, footwear receipts and a progress summary explaining any adjustments to the planned running load.

  3. Milestone 3

    $1,050 · 30%

    Complete race preparation

    Post travel booking records, a race-kit checklist and a training rehearsal summary, with booking references concealed.

  4. Milestone 4

    $875 · 25%

    Document race participation

    Share event check-in evidence, an activity record or official result if available, plus a factual account of race day.

Risks to plan for

  • R1

    Training interruption

    Illness or injury may interrupt the build-up and change participation plans. Include a review point before travel bookings and explain how unused race preparation spending would be handled.

  • R2

    Travel costs shift

    Race-week accommodation or transport may cost more than expected. Gather quotes early, budget a travel buffer and separate confirmed bookings from estimates in the preparation milestone.

  • R3

    Race day falls short

    Weather, pacing or event disruption may prevent a finish. Define the last milestone around documented participation and an honest race report rather than a guaranteed time or medal.

Questions and answers

Do I need to promise a finishing time to Backers?

No finishing time is needed to explain the dream. Set proof around preparation, race entry and documented participation, and make clear how you will report a slower run, a withdrawal or an event cancellation.

Can my first marathon be the goal?

Describe your starting point without claiming a certain finish. Use a staged training log, tested equipment and confirmed event plans to show progress, with a review point before committing the main race travel costs.

Can I see how my money was used?

Yes. Each milestone shows the Dreamer's proof, how much is held and how much is released. You only release money for milestones you have reviewed yourself.

Budget example

A typical cost split for a marathon dream in Los Angeles, shown in USD. Backers are charged the equivalent in US dollars.

Example goal

$3,500

  • Training support and preparation$1,225 · 35%
  • Race travel and accommodation$1,050 · 30%
  • Running shoes and equipment$875 · 25%
  • Entry and event essentials$350 · 10%

What you receive

Backers give
$3,500
Platform fee (15%)
−$525
You receive
$2,975

Ready when you are

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