Origin of Charity Endurance Events?

Quoting for training log:

tired, tired, felt like crap. want to try to do my tempo work a little above 9:00 pace, but not sure if that's sustainable, based on how today felt. managed to zone out and just listen to music some, but it was hard work. probably could have had a conversation -- not *interval* hard, but stick-with-it hard. actually, maybe a conversation would've helped. worried i'm getting a little sniffly. gonna try to get extra sleep tonight.

While trying to distract myself, I was remembering doing the Crop Walk as a kid with folks from my congregation. 10 miles seemed so long! Crop Walks started in the late 60s to raise money for hunger relief agencies. (Incidentally, the concept of a "walkathon" which has now morphed to include running & cycling benefits, started during the Depression for personal gain. Couples got food, shelter, and a chance to win the purse if they were the last ones standing in these "dance marathons". The walkathon resurfaced in the 60s, with a more charitable bent.)