Pretend you're a race director...

[BamaEd1]

Our local running club does not host many runs and none of any distance beyond an 8k. They do not seem to be very active. I would like to start a full and 1/2 marathon in our city. Montgomery is the only "major" city in Alabama that doesn't have a full or 1/2. It is a beautiful city and can be a great place to run. So, pretend you're a race director wanna-be like me and give me some advice for expo/race day. Here are a few of my ideas to begin with:

1) I've done races with medals before Disney. Disney was the only place that put my medal around my neck. This is a must. It almost made me feel cheap when the person just handed me my medal.

2) Good medical tents that are well stocked like Disney's.

3) Cold sponges and towels.

4) A free driving tour of the course from the expo the day before race day.

Ok, WISHer's take it away!!!!!

 

[escape]

Don't forget about the port-o-potties! Make sure you have plenty.

 

[bubba73]

This may be a done deal but just in case it is an oversight, don't forget about the water stops.

What about getting radio stations or some of the local high school bands out to help keep you motivated as you are going along? Being a former "bandie", seeing them at Disney was very motivating for me. The cheerleaders were a nice touch as well but that can be a temporary interruption for some of the guys that would be running.

 

[BamaEd1]

Being a former "bandie", seeing them at Disney was very motivating for me.

I'm a former band guy now. What is it with us, our knees were good after High School/College/Drum Corps so we took up running and all of the jocks that made fun of us that now have bad knees are watching their wives run. How ironic is that.

Good water stops with Poweraide/Gatoraide as well as "High Quality H2O" are a must.

 

[syko]

Make sure that wheelchairs & handcranks are welcome, and are allowed the same time as everyone else.

 

[BamaEd1]

Make sure that wheelchairs & handcranks are welcome, and are allowed the same time as everyone else.

Absolutely!!!!!! I wouldn't think of excluding those courageous athletes from a race.

 

[syko]

In that case when I get my wheels sorted I will have to enter your race!!

 

[windwalker]

We have an actual race director on here. If it was me I'd invest in dinner and a few pitchers of beer for Robert at the next race weekend and let him coach you.

I've done small races in parks or on Air Force bases but I had lots of help and no need for traffic control or creating an environment: potties, food, water, aid stations, ect..., since we would start and stop at the base GYM or the Park station with real bathrooms and tables available.

Walking Panda

 

[goofyguy1958]

Being a race director for the first time (a small local 5k for charity) myself, my most pressing issues are to:

Make sure you can obtain the required permits.
Make sure the course can and is certified
Get as many sponsors as you possibly can (my race will be on Memorial day and I have already started this process)
Hit up as many businesses as you can to donate prizes
Do not be shy about asking everybody for help
A charity tie in does help with sponsorship
Food at the end of the race - looking for donations here

As I learn more, I will stop by here and feed you all the information I can.

Good luck

Mike "GG" B

 

[dsnyfan21]

Ed: As a former marching band geek myself - we ROCK!! I myself found out that I was a "natural" racewalker do to all the drumcorp style marching - rolling the foot- heel down first, roll and push off with the toe! It ahs helping save the knees and joints tons!!

Good luck with the races!! Biggest deal for me my first half at WDW in 2007 was that as a walker when it came time to get my medal - they said they "ran out" THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!! I had to stand at the information tent for 20 min waiting to give them my information so when they got more or Found them I could get it. Then they FOUND them and had to wait in another line.

it would be nice for you event to be walker friendly and eventually have a walkers division. You would get more people interested in your event if you had walkers.

Tracy

 

[BamaEd1]

it would be nice for you event to be walker friendly and eventually have a walkers division. You would get more people interested in your event if you had walkers.

That is a great idea, maybe even a different starting area/wave. Thanks, y'all and keep them coming!

 

[JimB.]

I will second the race walkers division. Even though I am not, it would be a great addition. You may have to hire judges for that though. AFAIK, it's pretty strict division as far as technique and form goes. Just an aside, my MIL won the WDW Marathon a few years back in the masters racewalking division (when it was there).

Make sure you hire a great, reputable company to do the race timing.

Door prizes would be cool. Not just prizes for winners. Use bib #'s or tickets at the post race ceremonies.

Of Course, Medals are a necessity (if the budget allows of course)

Good luck!!

PS - My DW was the race director for a local 5k about 7-8 years ago. From her perspective - You Can Never Have Too Many Volunteers!!!!