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Many of the items in this chapter have been listed previously in one form or another. This is merely a reminder of the major considerations involved in putting on a road run.

Nothing happens without financial backing. Cost to put on a small (300 to 600 runners) 5k to 5 mile race can run from $5,000 to $20,000. Some of the sponsorship may be in-kind, e.g. food and beverages, but cash will be needed for many of the items that follow.

Consider the ability to control the course with marshals, the ease of setting up aid stations, the difficulty for the runners, and the size and configuration of the finish area. Get approval from the police for the basic layout. Then have the course measured and consider having it certified. Laying out and measuring a course costs $250 or more, depending on the length and difficulty of the course. Certification costs another $50 or so more but may be worth the expense depending on the nature of the race.

Liability insurance may be purchased through USATF or a member club of the RRCA. Cost varies depending on the anticipated size of the field.

Short or long-sleeve? 100% cotton (preferred) or 50/50? White or color? A good design is vital, especially for a first-time race. Spending money on a top quality shirt will usually pay dividends in future years.

These should be ordered six to 10 weeks in advance from a printer such as Electric City. The bib number provides an opportunity for additional exposure of the race name and major sponsors. logos. Cost will probably run between $.20 and $.30 apiece, depending on the quantity and type of bib ordered.

Refreshments

The more quantity and variety, the better, but remember that after a hard run there are some items that don. t seem very appealing. Foods high in carbohydrates usually go better than protein items. Beer, soda, water and electrolyte drinks are considered standard.

Ten-year age groups, e.g. 19 and under, 20-29, 60 and over, etc., are okay. If the race can afford it, five-year groups are better. Go at least three-deep in each age group, male and female. Awards proportional to the number of entrants in each age group are even better which may mean three-deep in the 20. s but five- to seven deep in the 40. s, etc. Trophies are preferred by runners over medals; medals are preferred over ribbons. Generally, the more unique the awards, the better the runners will like them.

A race organization or running club can be hired to conduct the race. The club. s fee will depend on how much work they are asked to do. "Race management" usually includes doing all the pre-race ordering, organizing and logistical support including distributing the entry form and handling registration. Cost can vary from a few thousand to many thousands of dollars.

"Race conducting" means setting up the course, start and finish on race day, and putting on the race, including timing and scoring. Race conducting usually includes equipment rental such as timing machines, digital clocks, chute stanchions, scoreboards, etc. Cost can vary from $1,000 to $5,000.

Here are some of the most important items required for a race. These will have to be rented or purchased if donors/sponsors cannot be found:

• Portable toilets (one for every 100 runners expected is considered the minimum) (Don. t forget the need for toilet facilities on the course for volunteers and participants, particularly at locations a long distance from the start/finish.)
• Cups and trash barrels with liners for water (or some other method to transport water such as Jerry cans)
• Banners ("start," "finish" and sponsors)
• Scaffolding (or some other device) for hanging the banners
• Cones
• Barricades
• Tables and chairs (for registration, timing, scoring, food distribution, awards)
• Sound system (with enough capacity to make announcements and play music)
• Bullhorns
• Ice
• Safety pins
• Trash barrels with liners for trash

This can usually be obtained by hiring a local ambulance company to provide a unit and a couple of paramedics or EMT. s.

Things such as stanchions and flagging to build the chutes, spindles for the bib tags, rope to hang banners, two-way radios, pens, mile markers, and scoreboards are usually supplied by the race conducting organization. The cost of this "equipment rental" is customarily added to the race conducting fee.