<h1>How to organize a successful running event</h1>

How to organize a successful running event

Whether you’re organizing a charity run or a cross-city marathon, generate buzz ahead of race day with Eventbrite’s advanced marketing tools.

How to organize a running event

From gold medals to themed marathons, here are tips from our event experts on how to organize a winning race.
How to organize a running event
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Finalize details

Whether you’re planning a 5K walk or run in the spring, or a themed summer marathon through the city, make sure to finalize details early to give athletes time to train.

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Acquire a permit

If your route involves temporarily stopping public trails or traffic, you may need to gain permission from your local authorities — so make sure to obtain this beforehand.

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Decide race length

This will likely depend on the type of race you’re organizing. Local charity fundraiser runs tend to be shorter, while marathons with big sponsors are typically 40K.

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Award medals

Organize a ceremony for the winning athletes by awarding medals for first, second and third place. You could also give race packs with protein-packed snacks or energy drinks.

Promote your running event

Discover all the marketing tools you need to promote your race — and sell more tickets.
Promote your running event
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Social media

Get athletes and attendees excited for the race on social media using Eventbrite’s seamless integration with Facebook and Instagram.

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Local promotion

Go offline and spread the word using flyers in local community halls, running shops, and sports centers.

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Targeted emails

Draw a crowd at the race with email marketing campaigns, customizable templates, and smart audience targeting.

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Influencer partnerships

Partner with local athletes and sports stars to boost ticket sales with influencer marketing.

Process ticket sales

How to process ticket sales and participant registration

Streamline ticket sales and registration for athletes and spectators with our simple ticketing tools. Monitor sales, complete attendee check-in with the Eventbrite Organizer App — and get paid using a customized payout schedule.

How to find sponsors for your running event

Partnering with sponsors for your race is a great way to raise funds — and boost community participation.
How to find sponsors for your running event
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Local sponsors

Reach out to local sports stores, running clubs, health food stores, and gyms for sponsorship to boost community engagement and participation.

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Race ambassadors

Ambassadors are a great way to spread the word. Why not contact local sports teams or coaches to sponsor your race and boost your marketing efforts?

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Celebrity athletes

Celebrity athletes can be a great way to generate buzz for your race. Get in touch with sports champions to commentate, compete, or host post-race Q&As with the athletes.

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Fundraising

Want to raise money for charity? Opt for donation boxes or stalls at various touchpoints along the race route selling food or merchandise.

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Press coverage

The bigger your event, the easier it will be to find sponsors — so spread the word in local magazines and newspapers to gain valuable press coverage.

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Accreditation

Designed to attract a crowd as well as skilled athletes, make sure to seek accreditation from well-established and local institutions to promote your event.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Organize your next running event

Organize your next running event

Discover all the tools you need to create and promote a winning race with Eventbrite.