Setting Your Rules
During the race planning process you and your committee will need to set ground rules regarding participation in the event. These are the rules you will kindly ask your racers to follow and they should be effectively communicated on the race brochure and on your web-site.
What types of rules you set will depend on the audience you intend to target, the event distance you choose, and the course including any safety issues regarding where your participants will be running. Each of these factors will help determine any rules you need to set as well as help you shape your event to include additional groups if necessary.
Are strollers allowed?
If you are planning a family focused event you’ll want to welcome walkers and joggers with strollers so younger children can participate. If you are planning a runners-only event such as a 5K where strollers on the course could cause congestion, a one-mile fun run specifically for families is an ideal way to keep strollers off the 5K course, but still be welcoming to the family audience. For a run/walk consider allowing those pushing strollers to be part of the walking group.
Keep in mind that many avid runners push jogging strollers. If you don’t want strollers on the course at all be sure to state that they are not allowed or else your participants will feel it is not an issue bring them along. Your course also needs to be wide and fairly smooth to facilitate the pushing of a stroller. If it isn’t, it’s best to request that there be none for this reason.
Can dogs come too?
For most races, unless they are specifically considered a dog walk or run, animals are not allowed. Now, personally, I am a dog lover, but I do understand why many coordinators make this rule. There is safety, congestion and even participant allergies to consider. If you welcome pets, require that they be on a leash – no exceptions. In addition, if the event is not solely for dog owners, start this group at a different time.
How about music?
Most 5K and 10K races allow participants to listen to iPods and MP3 players during the event. However, I’ve seen the rules for many events that encourage participants not to for safety. For example, if the music is loud you can’t here other racers around you or even unexpected traffic. Although, from what I’ve witnessed most racers ignore this encouragement and listen to music if that is what they prefer. So this is one rule that is often ignored. If your race is on a more treacherous course though, such as that for a trail run which requires a more alert participant, it is worth it to strongly encourage no headphones in your race rules.
Planned a race? What type of rules do you set?
If you are a participant, do you follow them?
Photo by Ed Yourdone
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