Please use this forum to discuss ideas about how to add a 5K-type event to your Relay.
Please provide as much detail in your replies, as we would like to build a "best practice" packet with the information provided in this forum. We are looking for information related to:
- Should there be a separate committee position dedicated to this event? If so, who are the best candidates for this type of position?
- How are many different ways to incorporate this into your event?
- How best to promote the 5K (outside of your existing teams)?
- Prizes? Giveaways? Ways to recognize runners
- How to raise additional money from this activity being added to your event?
- What supplies would be needed?
- How many people would need to be involved to execute?
Thanks for helping us to brainstorm this cool new activity that will add fun and excitement to Relay events...as well as attract new participants to attend your event.
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May 12, 2009 - 2:58pm
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It never fails, every year
It never fails, every year I'm asked if the Relay is a run. People ask if instead of donating if they can sign up for the "race" and every year I have to set them straight.
What a great idea to incorporate a real "race" into the Relay program. Here are my thoughts:
1. This could be a great added fundraiser - most 5K/10Kraces have an entrance fee, and the Relay Race should be no different. Charge a $30 entrance fee (maybe $15 for survivors and children) to participate in the race, and cha-ching, there's a big boost to your bottom line.
2. Yes, this event would definitely need a chair and their own committee. Putting on a race is no small task. The hospital that I work for puts on an annual 5K/10K and one of the event planners also sits on our local Relay Executive Committee. I'll direct her to this post to add her thoughts - she'd be a great resource.
3. Promoting the 5K/10K should go above and beyond the advertising for Relay itself. Local papers will generally run info on charitable races... but reaching out to the runners in your community, especially for the first year, will take some extra effort. This opens up a whole new dynamic for Relay For Life - complete with a whole new group of untapped resources.
4. Consider breaking down the run into age groups, and maybe a separate category for survivors?
5. As far as prizes are concerned, this is the breakdown for prizes at our hospital event (seems to work well and always draws a nice big crowd):
- 10K: Custom medals three deep in each age group. Top male/female overall to receive $50 cash.
- 5K: Custom medals three deep in each age group. Top male/female overall to receive $50 cash.
- Wheelchair Division: Overall male and female.
- Team/Corporate Division: Three individuals per team; 5K and 10K; male, female, coed teams.
- Children's Run: Custom "Just Run" medals to ALL finishers
- Post Race Drawing: Numerous prizes from local businesses
Another thought on prizes... what about having the winner's cash prize be donated to the Relay team of their choice? Maybe for overall man and overall woman winners you could bump it up to a $100 donation each?
6. Supplies will be big - you'll need race numbers, registration forms, staffing for registration table, water stations and a whole lot more.
All in all I think it's a GREAT idea. It will take a lot of work to coordinate but could be well worth it.
~ M.
Joined: 2007-04-16