Question

Topic: Strategy

Organizing A Marathon...

Posted by Mkter on 6/10/2010 at 9:27 AM ET 125 Points
Hello All,
I've been asked to help in organizing a local marathon to help raise monies for a really big cause.
Not knowing all the specifics just yet, the objective is to organize a marathon where participants can run/walk and help raise enough money for reconstruction efforts in Haiti and help the youth with a healthier lifestyle.

Where does one begin?

From a marketing standpoint, what can one do to begin the process of ensuring all the t's have been crossed and i's have been dotted?
I'm hoping to have the opportunity to meet with another group who is also partnering in these efforts to get their point of view, so I'll have more info to share.
But in the interim I wondered if anyone can lend some insight in putting together one of these, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks very much!
csmith

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RESPONSES

  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/10/2010 at 9:33 AM Accepted
    Is this a new event? You'll need to talk to the city to start. From a marketing point-- get your media sponsor first. And don't skimp on the timeline. If this is a brand new event you'll need about a year to do it right. When I was creating a new event for a nonprofit someone gave me that advice. I didn't listen and the event wasn't as successful as it should have been because of it.
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/10/2010 at 9:38 AM Author
    Yes, this will be a brand NEW event!

    A media sponsor? Like who, any suggestions?

    Thank you for the point on speaking with the city. I knew somewhere at somepoint the city would need to provide clearance and approval.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/10/2010 at 10:19 AM Accepted
    Here's a basic how-to article on creating a half-marathon, which is about the same work as a full-marathon:

    https://www.ehow.com/how_2185113_organize-half-marathon.html
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/10/2010 at 10:23 AM Member
    Typically these kind of events generate funds not only by the runners, but sponsors. A media sponsor would be someone local, who would appeal to the demographics of your runners.

    Here is an example of a very successful marathon. https://www.bouldermarathon.com/

    They've chosen the Boulder Daily Camera as their media sponsor. Alot of those connections are natural -- but that 29th St? It's a mall in Boulder.

    Leading up to the marathon a goup does training classes. Which they charge for. I took the class, and we were a group of about 20. The city stopped us from running even on public trails as a group without a permit. They applied for one, but while the paperwork was in progress we had to break our group up to run 4 each.
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/14/2010 at 12:17 PM Author
    Thank you for these great suggestions!
    Any ideas or recommendations or must-do's for advertising / marketing the marathon?
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/15/2010 at 11:05 AM Author
    Thank you for these great suggestions!
    Any ideas or recommendations or must-do's for advertising / marketing the marathon?
  • Posted by modza on 6/15/2010 at 11:59 AM Accepted
    I would add to everything above:
    1. Do a Google search for marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, 10K races in neighboring states or similar cities, and talk to the organizers. You'll learn the most from them. You should also do the Google search for your own area, because you don't want to conflict or even come close to another race -- both for runners' fatigue -- and donor/sponsors' fatigue!

    2. Marketing: Is there a specialty runner's store in your town? Is there a running club (or more)? What publications are lying on a shelf in the running store? Check out their bulletin board (flyers for races within driving distance. And note the dates). Who are the sponsors listed? Are there similar sponsors in your town? Find the runners' web sites (many, many), with calendars of events. You can add your event to those calendars. Other calendars online in your town? Chamber of Commerce? Tourism office? News - radio - TV affiliated web sites? Independent things to do sites? Facebook groups for runners in your area? Ning.com social networks for local runners? Go to linkedin.com and do an advanced people search for your geo area (zip code, radius 50 miles, say), AND the keywords running, runner, 10k, marathon, to find people who might be a) potential runners, b) potential committee members to help you, c) employed in companies that could be potential sponsors.
    3. Why limit yourself to a marathon? Think in terms of a ladder of activities that can happen more or less simultaneously: a 1k "fun" run/walk; 5K, 10K, half...
    4. MOST IMPORTANT: Do you have good reasons for wanting to do a marathon as your fund-raiser? Good in the sense of understanding the numbers of people likely to run (multiply by entry fee less expenses) vs. some other activity?
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/17/2010 at 10:02 AM Author
    Thank you all for all the great suggestions!
    It's certainly a start.

    Lastly, I wondered would anyone have a template of a proposal that could guide me for putting together a proposal to the city's office. Just to ensure we've not missed anything.
    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you!
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/17/2010 at 11:46 AM Member
    Have you talked to the city? They probably have a guideline - -not just for marathons but any kind of special event.
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/17/2010 at 5:25 PM Author
    Yes, we met with the Mayor yesterday.
    And ironically, that's what I thought and asked just that 'Are there certain things that we should be aware of to ensure our proposal is complete'?
    They've never had anything done at this magnitude.

  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/17/2010 at 5:46 PM Member
    in a first event-- plan for a smaller event. Its easier to expand an event than pull it back. Especially for your sponsors-- understate and over deliver.

    Marathons start early. So you need some streets and detours planned. Plan the route so it takes the busiest streets at the earliest hours. And you'll need some cops, so put in your marketing plan to pay for some off duty ones. You'll need paramedics. You'll need water stations. At the end, you need food- runners go for the bananas.

    I sent you a link to the Boulder Marathon. You don't compete with them, I am sure they'll share. And if they don't -- there are others that will.

    Your charity should also help. I used to get fliers where an org will pay my trip to run a marathon in Hawaii-- of course only after I sign up all the necessary sponsors.

    The mayor may be the big dog, but he's not intune with the logistics of putting on a special event. While it's important to have his endorsement-- get to the guy who does the work, like the head of parks & recreation. He plans sporting and major events and can surely help.

    Sounds like fun!
  • Posted by Mkter on 6/23/2010 at 10:57 PM Author
    Thank you everyone for your input! It turns out we have managed to find Running groups that are guru's in putting these type of events together small 5K to Triathlons! We are scoping out a few to understand what they do, how they do it and is it all worth it. I am a strong advocate of that simply, why reinvent the wheel if they eat, sleep, dream marathons so it's worth a shot. With regard to the proposal our thoughts are they've never (the city) done anything like this and at the end of the day they really need to understand the objective and overall cost - they're not looking for a dissertation, so we feel comfortable to have the facts and estimated budgets that could help formulate what we're trying to accomplish. Plus I've reached out to some other colleagues who have experience with these types of govt official offices and such. As to the drive of all of this and the overall goal of educating children toward healthier lifestyles of physical activities - we feel strongly toward getting a non-profit org within the community involved to help execute the end result which is to help and empower the children to develop and live healthier lifestyles with physical activity as a part of their lives.
    So, wish me Luck!
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 6/24/2010 at 8:54 AM Member
    Good Luck-- Have fun with it, sounds like a great project.
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