New Race Directors: How to Get Started
Getting your race up and running on RunSignup with our Race Wizard. If you have a simple setup, you may be ready to open registration after you complete the Race Wizard, but the customization options are endless. Follow these steps to get started and ensure a successful experience for you and your participants.
Jump to a Step:
Step 1:
Set Up Your Race
Setting up a run, walk, ride, or other traditional endurance event? RunSignup makes it easy. Start by creating your event and setting up a professional website to engage participants.
Your Race Wizard Walkthrough
Our step-by-step Race Wizard will guide your through setting up key details of your event, including race name, date, location, giveaways, and registration types. Watch our Race Wizard playlist for a full walkthrough.
Setting Up Your Payment Account
If people are paying to participate in your event, you need a payment account. Without it, you’re not able to open registration or get access to some of our amazing tools, like email.
Because of it’s importance, we strongly suggest setting up your payment account ASAP. If you’d like a quick overview of the process, check out the video to the left. And if you need a little more assistance, no problem. You can always contact our support team at info@runsignup.com.
Customizing Your Website
Now that you’re through the initial set up and have (hopefully) created your payment account, the next step is customizing your website. A professional-looking website helps inspire confidence for potential participants and creates a digital space to represent your event and brand.
Key How-To’s for Your Race Website
Step 2:
Spreading the Word
Boost participation and keep your audience engaged with targeted email marketing and smart promotional tools.
Email V2
Email is one of the most powerful promotional tools events have access to. In fact, 17% of all registrations on RunSignup came directly from emails sent from the platform. With access to prebuilt templates and email lists, and automated email options, engaging with and keeping in touch with your audience is quick and convenient.
Below are a few more helpful email resources:
Race Marketing
Ready to launch your event and get the word out? Use a digital strategy that taps into your participants’ networks with Referral Rewards and other targeted promotions. Activate participants as ambassadors and track your marketing spend to optimize results.
Key How-To’s for Your Race Marketing
Step 3.
Managing Race Day
It’s almost game time! Prepare your race-day setup with tools to streamline check-ins, results, and participant management for a smooth event.
Participant Management
White not essential for first-time race directors, participant management tools can be incredibly helpful as you prepare for race day. Offering flexible, self-serve options like waitlists, deferrals, transfers, and bib exchanges can reduce pre-race support requests and streamline your operations.
RaceDay CheckIn App
With the RaceDay CheckIn App you’re able to quickly and conveniently check participants and volunteers in for the race. You can use it to do things like assign bib numbers, with dynamic bib assignment. You can also use the RaceDay CheckIn App as a way for last-minute joiners to register for an event on race day.
A Few Ideas For Race Day
Keeping things on track and running smoothly is certainly easier said than done. We know from first-hand experience. Check out the video to the left to see what we learned and a couple practical tips that could work well for your event.
Key How-To’s for Race Day
Additional Resources…
At RunSignup, we take education seriously because we want to empower you to create and manage your own events. Get familiar with the resources you can use to answer any questions and learn more about our tools
Support How-To’s
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Webinars & Events
Get hands-on training through our comprehensive library of on-demand webinars and upcoming webinars & events.
Monthly Newsletter
Get a roundup of all the news delivered to your inbox, every month, with our RunSignup monthly newsletter.
General Resources for New Race Directors
Race directing can be a big job. While there is no one manual – all races are different – there are a number of industry resources that we recommend to help you learn more about the endurance industry and prepare for your event.
1. Race Director 101 from Championship Racing has a terrific checklist and detailed guide.
2. Event Director’s Education from Road Runners Club of America offers practical advice on topics like permitting and insurance. There is also an option for a paid Race Director Certification.
Check Out Event Director’s Education
3. Race Director’s Hub on Facebook is a community of race directors around the world. Have a question? Ask!
4. Race Director’s HQ offers free articles, resources, and vendor listings alongside a paid membership program.
5. Runners for Public Lands has a free Race Directors Guide to help races build community and care for the environment through their events
Check out Runners for Public Land
6. Guide to Non-Binary Inclusion in Running is a free resource for race organizers who are looking to create more inclusive events for non-binary participants.
Need more help? Submit a Support Ticket for assistance! Our highly responsive Support Team is online 7 days a week.
More Blogs for New Race Directors
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Why Small Races Need A Timer
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Permitting for Events
Essentially all endurance events happen in public spaces. And getting access to those spaces generally involves some sort of event permit. The permit process can vary greatly from state to state, or even town to town, but is always an important consideration…
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Three Things You Need To Do After Creating a Race on RunSignup
So, you created a race on RunSignup. That’s great! And we’re flattered you chose us to help with all things registration related for your upcoming event. Getting started is often the hardest step, so now that you’ve crossed that bridge, there are…
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A Quick Guide for Creating a Safe Event
In the world of endurance sports, pushing your limits and achieving personal bests are what drive athletes to train relentlessly. But behind the thrill of competition lies a fundamental principle: safety. By their very nature, endurance events are physically demanding and exhausting, making…
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RRCA Guide Series
After being in the endurance industry for over a decade, we know a thing or two about races. Though we feel qualified to share tips and advice on a number of topics – like race registration, building beautiful event websites, or creating…
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Making Money Beyond Registrations: Firecracker 5K Festival
James and Shelly Harris, creators of RaceJoy and long-time RunSignup employees, recently hosted their inaugural race: The Firecracker 5K Festival at Chickasaw Point. With years of race experience from multiple perspectives, this was our first time managing the entire process. As long-time employees at RunSignup, our familiarity with RunSignup’s tools allowed us to bring a big-event experience to our community, utilizing features that most first-time organizers might overlook. We thought we’d share our perspective on putting on a first time race with a focus on sponsorships. As many know, registration revenue tends to just cover the cost of producing the event.
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