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.


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.


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


Your one-stop hub for step-by-step how-to’s for key products and features across the platform.

Product Blog


Our blog is your regular news feed for product updates and industry best practices. Subscribe to keep up!

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.

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

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

Guest Post – What Timing Technology is Right for Your Race

This is a Guest Blog from our friend Tony Sapp of Negative Split Productions. Accurate race timing is fundamental to the success of any event, ranging from small community fun runs to large-scale marathons and ultra-endurance challenges. With technological advancements, race directors…

Read More

2024 Top 100 Largest Races

We assembled a preliminary list of the 2024 top 100 largest races that were timed. We have been accumulating this list for a couple of years (see 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023). A few notes: 2024 Top 100 Largest Races List Large…

Read More

Building a Professional Website with RunSignup

Growing up we probably all heard the old axiom “don’t judge a book by its cover.” It’s sage advice, but even the most open-minded can be swayed by looks. That’s especially true in the case of websites.  Research found that half of…

Read More

Why Small Races Need A Timer

In the world of small races, some may consider hiring a timer something of a luxury. A thing you do when you’re well-funded and well-attended. In some ways that line of thinking is understandable. But, in actuality, the truth is a bit…

Read More

Getting Merchandise for Your Race

Endurance events tend to hold a special place for people. Whether it was a bucket-list item like running a marathon, or having a fun day with friends and family at a 5k, holding on to those memories is important for a lot…

Read More

Three RunSignup Tools that Save You Money 

When we talk about planning races, we tend to focus mostly on the more logistical aspects. Things like routes, events offered, and promotion tactics. However, one area we don’t tend to touch on as much is budget.  Money is a very important…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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.

Read More
Show More

Subscribe to Our Blog

Customize Lists...
Loading