How do I host a distance running 5k in my hometown?

Question

I'm looking for help with every facet of orchestrating and putting together the event because I would like to bring a road race to my home town when many surrounding communities have their own 5ks or 10ks.

Answer 1

If this is your first time out, I would suggest that you get some corporate help. All of the 5Ks that I've run have been for a chartiable cause. Places like animal shelters, blood centers, hospice facilities, homeless shelters, etc. could usually use the extra money. Plus, they are oftentimes locally owned, so you wouldn't have to go through the organization running it up the flagpole to the regiona, district, national levels for approval. (that could take forever!).
If you are able to convince one of these places that there is enough of an interest (many runners), it could be a wonderful fundraising opportunity for them. They would be supplying all the manpower, the organization, etc. You could closely assist them and learn how to do it. After you learn everything, then you could try it yourself.
I hope that suggestion helps you in some way!
Kudos to you for taking initiative and good luck! :-)

Answer 2

A 5k is a major undertaking...we're in the planning stages now for our 6/2/07 race (5k). Here's a good to-do list:

1. Get helpers! It's tough to do alone and you'll need some extra energy & ideas. You'll also need course marshalls, finish-line helpers, etc...
2. Get sponsors. If your event benefits a charity organization, church, or community many companies like to help out and get recognized for their help. You can recognize them by putting their logo on your race fliers and T-shirts. We've been lucky in that many of our sponsors donate door-prizes and food. We even had one sponsor donate the T-shirts!
3. Get a good race timer. Look up some of your local races (see link below - then click Races USA link for your area). Contact their director to see if you can get the race timer's name & number. These folks can charge anywhere from $300-$600 to time the race, publish the results, and promote the race. You'll want to get them scheduled early!
4. Bib #s: you can usually get these for free through Runner's World (they view it as free advertising)..you just need to buy the safety pins.
5. Come up with a budget after you see what you're getting free through sponsorships. This will help you decide on the quality of awards. You can get engraved medals for as little as $3 / each and trophies for as little as $5/each. Come up with age / gender categories and publish in your flier.
6. Many races are being done in conjunction with a town fair or block party...and they're huge successes! If you're able to time your race with one of these events, you may attract many more runners.
7. Hold bi-weekly meetings. As you get into it, you'll see a to-do list growing and growing. Meet with those helpers above every other week. It can be a fun evening outing...we've even held ours in a pub once in awhile ;-)

Hope that helps. After all the hard work, it's a very worthwhile venture and it may even become one of your town's hallmark events! Best of luck.

- Mike

Answer 3

All. There is no order really. You build endurance buy including longer runs in your training. Breathing is important in anything you do - running fast or running slow and long. Leg strength will help reduce injuries. All these are important in your training. You can do all of these by running alot. Add more miles to your training. Learn to breath the basic in through nose, out through mouth - use your diaphram stuff. But that's basic. Do weight training to build strength but most of all... run lots and USE PROPER SHOES!!!

Answer 4

Mike's answer was a good one. I would like to add that a sanction from USATF will give your race exposure via their website and calendar, credibility, and also liability insurance. For more information go to www.usatf.org and from there, contact your local association. They may also be able to provide local contacts for help with timing and chute setup.