It’s time to untie these running shoes and open the drawstrings to the mailbag.
Today’s letter comes from Brian, who is seeking advice for a church organizing a 5K as a fundraiser for a mission project.
Thanks for checking in, Brian, and before I attempt to tackle this question, let me start by saying I’ve never organized or directed a race. However, I’ve been embedded in the running community for a decade and have a wealth of fundraising experience from directing an e-sports tournament that has generated more than $10,000 for Penn State Children’s Hospital.
With that preface out of the way, here are my Top Three Things to consider when planning a 5K race:
Location, Location, Location
Part of what makes running an amazing sport is that it’s not limited to a court or ballfield.
A race can be held on city streets and in parks. It can run over a bridge or right through the water. Do you want a race that runs flat and fast, or one that torments the participant with punishing hills? A 5K only has one requirement — measuring to 3.1 miles — and allows unlimited creativity for the race organizer.
That’s not to say there aren’t limitations. Consider whether you will need to pay for permits, hire crossing guards or rent out a space. If you’re going to run near or on private property, make double sure you have permission to be there. I can think of at least one off-the-grid trail race that drew not only ire from the landowner, but gunfire, as well.
With all of this in mind, remember that a runner will tolerate a dull race course, but they’ll come back year after year to a setting that inspires them.
Budget management
This might sound obvious, but when organizing a 5K, it’s important to establish a budget and stick to it.
Make a checklist of potential expenses. It should include things like water stations, race timers, insurance, permits, advertising and most importantly: Porta-potties.
Once you have a price range in mind, that’s when you will determine the registration fee. On average, 5K events charge between $20-50 per participant.
When drawing up a budget plan, consider the projected size of your race field. If you only anticipate 14 runners on Race Day, it might not be a good idea to splurge on flashy medals and a D.J.
One thing I learned early on from event planning is that you have to make tough decisions. If you say “yes” to every single bell and whistle the racing experience can provide, you’ll find yourself in the red.
Pro tip: Seek sponsorship from area businesses and individuals that align with your cause. This can come in the form of financial donations or other means, like vendor stands or discounted rates for bulk food purchases. Every little bit helps!
Don’t do it alone
Once you’ve given yourself around three to six months to plan for a race, you’ll find that there is quite a bit of logistical minutiae that goes into successfully pulling off this kind of event.
There are phone calls to make, a course to measure, money that needs to be moved around and runners that need to be recruited.
My biggest piece of advice is this: Don’t do it alone. Delegate responsibilities. Please. No race or event is worth burning yourself out over.
In today’s day and age, there are plenty of apps and websites that can simplify the project management process. I’m a frequent flyer on SignUpGenius, a free app where volunteers for your event can sign up for everything from handling tasks to bringing snacks for the concession stand.
Thanks again for checking in, Brian, I look forward to hearing how the 5K goes!
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Will Campbell, a Waynesboro grad now running for Hagerstown Community College, put his talents on display at the Tartan 5K.
The race, held in Hagerstown, saw Campbell run away for victory in 17:54. He was joined in the Top 10 by Hagerstown’s Lucas Young (second in 18:41), Johnathan Fox (third in 19:18), and Nicholas Blake (10th in 24:17), and Waynesboro’s Noah Bockstie (fourth in 20:04) and Michael Calo (fifth in 21:31). Cheryl Scholl, of Hagerstown, finished as top female in 23:14.
Other top times from the Tartan 5K were recorded by Hagerstown’s Will Marquiss (25:34), Shiloh Levos (27:09), Kyle Mattejat (27:10) and Kani Taylor (31:04).
In Montgomery County, Maryland, the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail Marathon and 50K, Fairfield’s Kyle Schoen finished the 50K in 8:07:28, while Waynesboro’s Philip Hough completed the marathon in 8:19:13.
Chambersburg’s Peter Holdaway and Hagerstown’s Jana Fridrichova were active on the trail scene. Holdaway clocked a 49:10 at the Bigfoot Endurance 5 Mile Trail Race in Elkridge, Maryland, while Fridrichova competed at the Naked Bavarian 20 Miler in Leesport and crossed the finish line in 3:32:00.
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Greencastle’s Edward Rougerio (24:21 at 5K Run on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track) and Danielle Defelice (28:41 at Northeastern 5K), Chambersburg’s Kristen McKee (39:05 at Medal Madness 5K), Carla Christian (59:13 at Lucky Leprechaun 5K), and Steve VanScyoc (3:14:59 at Medal Madness Half Marathon), and Fairfield’s Lori Borden (35:53 at Celtic Canter 5K).
And finally, a shoutout to two Fayetteville runners who completed the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon. Amanda Kaiser-Jones finished in 2:16:24, while Jerome Geisler registered a 2:32:06.
And now, a look ahead:
Chambersburg Half Marathon: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., in Chambersburg. Embrace the challenge of Chambersburg’s hilly backroads with this race, in its 47th running. Register for the race on timberhilltiming.com.
Lucky Charm 4 Miler: Saturday, noon, in Harrisburg. Registration is limited to 1,000 runners for this popular race, put on by Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg. Find the race on runsignup.com.
St. Patrick’s Day Run Fest: Saturday, 8 a.m., in Hagerstown. A four-pack of races, ranging from one mile to 8K, are available for runners to choose from at this event. Search for the race on runsignup.com.
Also: Shamrock Shuffle Fun Run (Friday, in Reading); Rabid Raccoon 100 (Friday-Sunday, in Beaver Falls); Big Woods Half Marathon (Saturday, at Elverson); Chilly Dog 5K (Saturday, in New Freedom); Medal Madness 5K/10K (Saturday, in Akron); Man of Iron 5K (Saturday, in Manheim); Shamrock Shenanigans 5H/10H (Saturday, in Douglassville); Shamrock Shuffle 5K (Saturday, in Manheim); Shamrock Shuffle 1M/5K/13.1M (Saturday, in Harmony); Special 13M/26M/36M Trail Run (Saturday, in Safe Harbor); ERC St. Patrick’s Day Distance Festival (Saturday, in Erie); Frozen Foot 5K (Sunday, in Elizabethtown); Medal Madness 1M/5K/10K/15K/13.1M (Saturday, March 22, in Hughesville/Manheim); Wharton 5K (Saturday, March 22, in Philadelphia); Annapolis Running Festival (Saturday, March 22, in Annapolis); HAT Run 50K (Saturday, March 22, in Susquehanna State Park, Maryland); Phillies Charities 5K (Sunday, March 23, in Philadelphia).
