[kerfwango]

<p>So I'm on the board of directors for our little neighborhood pool and we're planning to put on a 5K to raise from funds and have a fun little neighborhood/community event (on an annual basis, if things go well). However, since this is a membership-based pool and, therefore, techincally private (but hardly exclusive), it doesn't exactly fit into the traditional 5K-for-charity mold. So I'm wrestling with how to appropriately adapt certain aspects of that model to our event.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For example, sponsors: Will it be worthwhile to approach local businesses and individuals for sponsorships since this is not a race for charity? How would I adapt my pitch to them? Promotion/participation: How can we pitch this to the community?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What other adjustments should we make or pitfalls should we be aware of?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for any and all suggestions.</p>

 

[coachie]

<p>Certainly you can approach local businesses for sponsorship...for prizes or whatever you like.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One of our sponors gives us the ice for our coolers for the water/gatorade we have at the finish.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Contact your local Coke/Pepsi dealer, and see if they'll give you some free product in exchange for sponsorship...they are usually willing to do this.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Our local Hospital also provides us with the fruit for the race...Oranges, Apples, Bananas, whatever we need, and we include them as a sponsor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Let them know you will put their name on the back of the shirt, and make sure you include them in a list of "sponsors" in the race packet, and include any coupons, materials, etc...they want you to in your race packet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For community, just get the word out there...put some signs up at grocery stores, convenience stores, etc...</p>
<p>If you have a "local" paper see if you can have an article or advertisement for your race put in it.</p>
<p>Contact any "local" radio stations and see if they have any interest in doing some sort of interview or something...our local radio has a "community events" feature on and they interview people for it.  I've done this the past few years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>PM me if you want anything else.</p>

 

[gretriever]

<p>Don't forget... tell the police and locals-in-charge. </p>

 

[Tech Tee]

<p>Since it's only club members, you might get away with no insurance...but consider it.  ANd don't be surprised that it might cost $500 or more (that's what our insurance company quoted, for a $1 Million rider....for a friggin' 1 hour event max).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, like was mentioned, police for road closures.  And, EMT squad.  They'll usually do it for a small "donation" ($100), and a t-shirt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have plenty of safety pins.  And you have to get bibs.  They're cheap.  Check Runners' World in the back.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For timing....well, you could get fancy, and have someone time it for you, or you could do the popsicle stick thing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Medals...shirts...ice, refreshments.  Prizes for the winners (usually local running stores will pony up gift certs), or for us, one of the members was a real estate guy, and he paid for all the shirts.  With his logo being the largest on the back, of course. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Let business actually set up "a table" at the start finish, with all sorts of stuff.  A rep.  Maybe you can get one of them to spring for some soft pretzels or bagels or something.  McDonalds near us ALWAYS supplies us with ice.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You need a web presence.  And a way to sign up on line.  And, also a place for people to send printed applications, and an e-mail address and phone number for questions.  You need course marshalls (club volunteers who aren't running), and, if you want, split timers.  You might want mile markers maybe.  You need to have someone mark/measure out the course (make sure you mention that this is NOT a USATF certified course, if it isn't). </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Let the local paper know so the can have someone there to take pictures.  Supply them, after the race, the results, so they can print them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Something for the kids.  Lolly pop dash or something.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You need a bull horn.  And a whistle.  You need volunteers to take money on race day for people who decided to wait.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can make it big, or make it small.  It can get VERY complicated...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Volunteers, volunteers, VOLUNTEERS...</p>

 

[GaReb770]

<p>If you have a Kroger and/or Publix near your neighborhood you can approach them for food.   Both stores around here are very receptive to running events.  Publix is the primary sponsor the Georgia Marathon (formerly ING Georgia Marathon).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Check with local jurisdictions (county/city) as to what permits, if any,  you may need.</p>

 

[kerfwango]

<p>Great stuff, y'all. Thanks for the input.</p>

 

[coachie]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>gretriever</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72016/putting-on-a-5k-suggestions-and-ideas-please#post_1974667"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Don't forget... tell the police and locals-in-charge. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
yes, yes, and yes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I figured that one was a given.</p>

 

[airehead]

<p>This one is silly, but it is a lot of fun!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cowbells for the volunteers cheering on the runners!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another suggestion:  you can actually do something for the community as well as for yourselves:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>have a "drive" for something.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Like a coat, book, food, etc drive to help the community's food bank or whatever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go over  the route the night before and the morning of.  A hellacious snowstorm taught us the value</p>
<p>of that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you are using signs to mark the route, number them so next year they have one less thing to do.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Assign a specific volunteer coordinator.</p>

 

[kerfwango]

<p>Yeah, I pretty much know all the boilerplate stuff to do. My main interest is ideas for adapting the charity race model to ours. What to leave in, what to leave out. There are some great ideas in here I haven't thought of.<br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>coachie</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72016/putting-on-a-5k-suggestions-and-ideas-please#post_1974767"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>gretriever</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/72016/putting-on-a-5k-suggestions-and-ideas-please#post_1974667"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Don't forget... tell the police and locals-in-charge. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
yes, yes, and yes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I figured that one was a given.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br>