Things You'll Need:
- volunteers
- timer
- race course
- t-shirts
- awards and prizes
- cups and water
- communication system
- portable toilets
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Step 1
Set a date. Look at your local race calendar to make sure you aren't conflicting with other events on the same weekend. Consider having the race on a Sunday, as most other races are held on Saturdays.
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Step 2
Set up a course. This can take weeks but must be one of the first things you do. Make sure to include aid stations at least every two miles, at which you will offer runners water or sports drink.
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Step 3
Attain necessary permits for using streets, trails, parks or whatever areas you are going to be using. Call the police department to see if they will be able to assist you with street closings or patrols or whatever other help you may need on race day.
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Step 4
Begin to advertise. Put up flyers near local running trails and in sporting goods stores. Send flyers to running shoe stores in local towns. Get your local running club involved (this is important, because you will need many volunteers). Have someone develop a logo for you to put on these fliers and race t-shirts.
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Step 5
Decide on fees and race amenities. Compile a registration form and include a place where entries can be mailed or dropped off.
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Step 6
Line up things like water, sports drinks and cups for the course, and food for before and after the race. Many local businesses will donate things or give them at a discounted price, particularly if a charity is going to benefit from your race.
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Step 7
Line up a timer. Many companies will hire out their services. Many local running clubs have timers they can let you borrow. Because this is an important step, make sure you have someone do it that is experienced.
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Step 8
Once you have a handle on how many registrants you will have, order t-shirts and awards and get portable toilets ordered if there are no restrooms available. Generally you will need a couple weeks lead time to do this, so make sure to give yourself at least that much time.
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Step 9
Garner things you will need for race day, including cones and signs for the course, tables for aid stations, tents, chairs, music or any other things you may wish to have at your start/finish area.
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Step 10
Get your volunteers in place. Half-marathons take a long time for people to complete, so your event will last at least 4 hours. Make sure you have volunteers that are committed to helping you for that long.
