So you’ve decided your company is going to put on a 5k running race. Whether it’s raising money for charity, celebrating a company milestone, or just supporting the community, a 5k can bring positive attention to your company and build teamwork for your employees while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Organizing a 5k has its challenges. The first ones that come to mind are deciding when the race will be held, the course path, and building a web page and advertising your 5k. But there are several race-day logistical challenges that you need to be prepared for in order to ensure that your event runs smoothly from start to finish and that everyone can enjoy the day.
Table of Contents
Directing traffic
If any part of your 5k will be run on roads, you may need to get a city permit to ensure that those roads are closed during your race. At the very least, hire a police officer to direct traffic to ensure the safety of your runners. Another place you may need to direct traffic is in the parking lot of your race. If there is limited parking available, have a few volunteers to help guide athletes and spectators to maximize the available parking space.
Aid stations and finish line food and drink
Since a 5k isn’t very long, you can probably get away with having one aid station on the course at about the halfway point with water only. Part of the fun of running a 5k is the finish line food! If you can’t get a sponsor to provide you with food, try to have a variety of grab-and-go foods available at the end of your race. Things like bananas or bagels go over well with runners! Make sure you have plenty of water and sports drinks for your runners at the end of your race too.
Race shirts
One of the best parts of running a 5k is the shirt that you receive for participating. You can design your shirt from RushOrderTees or select a pre-made design. Be sure you include your company logo, the date and distance of the race, and the name of the event or charity you are supporting.
Directing traffic on the course
Even if your race stays off of city streets, if the course has any intersections at all it would be wise to not only have signs directing runners but have a volunteer stationed at each intersection or turn as well. Making a wrong turn in a race is a major let-down, so have both a sign and a volunteer to make sure you keep all the runners on the right path.
Course timing
To help with the logistics of keeping track of finishers, consider hiring a timing company. They can handle the details of setting up the start and finish lines, as well as providing real-time data to those ultra-competitive runners who want to know how quickly they finished the course.
A corporate 5k is a great way to stay involved with your community, build teamwork, or raise money for charity. Keep these race-day challenges in mind when you plan your race, and it’s sure to go off without a hitch!
About Carson Derrow
