GET ORGANIZED:
In addition to specifics for your walk/ run, you’ll also need to check out the basics of running any event in our Week-By-Week Event Planner.
QUESTIONS TO ANSWER BEFORE YOU GET STARTED:
- What date do you want to have the event? Check out other relevant calendars before you decide.
- Do you want to host a walk, run or a walk/run combo?
- Who do you want to have join you? Make a list!
- Is this a competitive event or a just for fun?
- Will you be running on trails or streets? Remember: If you use public streets/sidewalks you’ll need to get permission from the town/city. This may also involve having police for street crossings to keep people safe.
- Do you want this to be an official timed race? This will be an additional cost and usually involves getting a business involved who handles race timing.
- If you’re fundraising, do you want to charge for a fee for each person who participates or do you just want to ask for donations when people come to the event?
- Will you have multiple distances or just one?
- Do you need insurance? We can help with this!
- Will you need to supply participants with food and water?
- Will you give out/sell t-shirts?
- Are there bathrooms available?
- Do you have volunteers available? (Checkout committee roles below).
- Are there costs for anything you want to do? (permits, portable toilets, marketing materials, sound system, tables and chairs, food, first aid, t-shirts, water and cups, etc)
CREATE COMMITTEES & A TO-DO LIST
It’s great to have help and this link will help you think of how to divvy things up.
YOU’LL NEED (basics):
- Create a walking/running course with the correct event distance. Map My Run is a good resource for creating a course map and figuring out distances
- A Start and Finish Line
- A place for people to park
- Bathrooms
- Waivers for participants (we can help with this!)
- Course Markers (can be flags, cones or signs)
- Water, water, water- throughout the course and at the finish line
- First Aid kit for any emergencies
- Directional signs or people who guide runners/walkers
- Course maps
- Registration and/or Volunteer Check In
- Timers
- If you’re fundraising, we can help you set up an online registration site OR use Google Forms to create a simple sign up.
PROMOTE YOUR EVENT, RALLY YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY:
- We know this can be one of the hardest parts or organizing any effort, but we’re here to help! Learn more about getting participants here
BOOST YOUR EFFORTS:
- Use our step-by-step guide to promote and share your idea to get as many runners/walkers as you can.
- Make sure you share your run/walk with local running clubs and have it added to regional and local race calendars
DAY OF ORGANIZATION:
- Check out our Day-Of Event Checklist so that your event is stress free and FUN.
HOW IT GOES DOWN (basics):
- Promote your event
- If you’re fundraising, collect an entry fee from participant or ask for donations
- Set up the course
- Explain the course to all walk/runners (can be verbally or with a map)
- Say GO and cheer everyone on!
- Educate and raise awareness