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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 01
Make every step provable
A milestone only works if a Backer can look at your proof and agree it is done. 'Buy equipment' is weak; 'equipment bought, receipt and photo posted' is strong.
- 02
Order by risk
Put the cheapest, fastest step first. Each released milestone proves you deliver and funds the next. Leave the biggest amount for the step where most of the work is already done.
- 03
Keep the amounts honest
Milestones must add up exactly to your goal. Price each step from real quotes, include tools and services, and split any step that is too big to prove in one go.
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.
Budget example
A typical cost split for a marathon dream in Houston, 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
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.
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.
How many milestones should a marathon dream have?
Three to six works for most dreams. Fewer gives Backers little to review; more than seven makes each step feel small. The example plan on this page uses four.
Ready when you are
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