There are so many races to choose from out there, so if you're organising a new race, you want to make it special.
There are so many races to choose from out there, runners can indulge in a catalogue of 5Ks, 10Ks, team relays, mud runs, trail runs, or theme-based races. The list goes on. So if you’re organising a new race, you want to make it special.
You might be a seasoned athlete, or ex Ironman racer, but if you haven’t organised a race before, its best to keep it simple. Even if you have your heart set on organizing a marathon, you may want to first have a go with a shorter distance to feel your way. Every race requires heaps of legwork from those organising the event; the longer and more complicated the course, the more planning required.
So, if you’re looking to dip your toes into organising a new race, here are some bits of advice from us on getting started on the right foot.
In just about any new venture, there’s nothing like learning from the people who’ve done it before. And that’s exactly where you should start when planning your first fun run, triathlon or cycle race. Here at Eventrac we have a wealth of race directors on our platform that organise a variety of different races, so we can help you find your feet by putting you in touch.
Sure, some marathons are owned by committees, communities and conglomerates. But when it comes to many of the thousands of marathons, ultramarathons and triathlons in the world, entrepreneurs are running the events, instead of running in them. And we nurture our relationships with them, to build a powerful network that you can tap into.
Getting involved is also a sure way of learning a few things. Why not sign up to volunteer at a couple of events you’re interested in or have enjoyed, and approaching race directors to see if you can work more closely with them in the run-up to the big day.
As long as you’re respectful in the way and time you approach other directors (don’t expect replies just before event day!), you can ask general questions like:
And for some more specific information, here are some topics you can focus on for different types of races:
Costs are considerably different for different types of events, which means that some require higher economies of scale (larger entry numbers) to be viable. Building your race budget is essential in ensuring you know what you’re getting into. If you have a charity partner, you can also make sure they benefit too.
Like with any other aspect of your planning, if you don’t feel comfortable enough doing this yourself, make sure you get someone involved who does. This is an important aspect of managing an event and one you can’t risk messing up.
Here are things to consider, as for different types of races, your costs will vary depending on where you host it.
Do you want a serious race or a fun run? If you’re looking to get creative with the type of event you’re organising, having a theme can help you stand out. This works well for 5k runs in particular, but there's nothing to say you can’t have a themed marathon. Start by making a list of all the different ideas that come to mind. Here’s a few common 5K race themes you could consider for your race:
If you’re a member of a running group or have an audience of experienced runners whose opinions you trust, ask for feedback on your ideas and additional suggestions.
If you want to organise a race which is friendly towards juniors, having a theme can often entice a younger audience to come along. Or in addition to your race, introducing a 2km run can make the event more of a family day out.
Getting in touch with the relevant governing body or sports association for your race, whether that's the british triathlon federation or UK Athletics. They can provide advice on the best practices regarding timing and helping your athelets get official results on their databases.
Some of these offer courses you can book onto as well. Although they’re not compulsory to allow you to organise a race, they could help you get ahead of your planning and create some sound contingencies for your event to make sure you’re fully prepared for all scenarios.
Expanding your race portfolio can help you build up your revenue streams throughout the year, establish your brand as a race organiser and build up a wealth of experience in the industry. But making sure you’re putting on the right kind of events, to make sure you’re not out of your depth, have the resources to do so and the right information available to you is important. So do your research and make sure you’re up for the challenge, and get going to get another epic race under your belt!
Boost Your Entries: Unleash Your Super Power of Special Offers!
23/04/2024, 13:00
Boost your event and business with a members club.
16/04/2024, 15:59
Try This Simple Post-Event Email Campaign To Boost Entries
08/04/2024, 11:56
See How Easy It Is To Find Extra Entries
15/03/2024, 10:57
How Do You Boost Your Event Brand And Improve Email Deliverability?
08/02/2024, 10:19
The team at Eventrac are on hand to assist with all components of your event. From advice on promoting your event through low cost channels such as social media, to a guided tutorial on a specific feature of Eventrac. We are here to help.