The 5 most important things to consider when organising racing events

 It may seem like a daunting task when it comes to organising a racing event, but the demand is out there for people who want to take on the responsibility. After all, there are plenty of well-organised events that provide thousands of people of all levels the chance to take part.

 Seasoned organisers can provide vital information on how a good event is run, while aspiring race organisers might be forgiven for thinking race organisation is a simple affair.

Well, if you are bursting with questions, it’s time to dispel some of the myths surrounding the difficulties of organising events. These are some of the most important things you need to consider when thinking about organising a race event:

 FIRST THOUGHTS

 There are many elements to a successful event. You may be an experienced event organiser or you may be new to the game; there is always the chance there’s something you’ve overlooked. 

 Ask yourself - what is it you need to do so that the paying public will have a great experience and the event was well organised? How can I make sure stewards and helpers will want to work for me again? What can I do to make sure that landowners welcome me back?

EXPERIENCE

 Experience is essential even for those who are new to race organising. But how can I get experience if this is my first time? Volunteering at local events is a great way of recognising how a successful event works.

VENUE

 Having the right venue for your race is critical. As well as the main criteria, like having an interesting race route that is big enough to host the runners. There are also smaller elements you need to consider; facilities, for example, are often overlooked. Runners need to be able to access the event easily, with good car parking spaces available when they arrive.

PERMITS

 If you are looking to organise a road race you will need to secure permission from both the local council and the police. You will also need the consent of the Highways Authority for road usage. Securing your permit is not for the faint hearted; Councils will expect you to have Public Liability Insurance up to £10m. You won’t be able to get this privately, so you will have to go through a permitting scheme.

COSTS 

 For small races, your main bulk of the costs will be towards postal and printing services. You’ll also need a telephone system to deal with queries, a bank account to deal with payments, and an entry system.

 When considering your costs, it’s important to remember that the total adds up in the smaller elements of the budget. After your main expenses such as fees to landowners, you may feel as though you won’t have much else to pay out, but things are still going to add up.  So be careful with your budget, you may have to fork out for advertising before anyone has paid a single-entry fee.

If you are looking to organise any type of running event more information can be found online. From Road Races to triathlons; no matter the size of your race there is advice available for any level of experience.