There’s talk all through running related social media…the days of entering and running at in-person races has returned. These days may not look quite the same as pre-COVID race days, but it’s exciting nonetheless and runners are ready to go. Are race directors ready?
Are races really coming back?
Runners reach the finish line to earn their custom medals at the Pledge the Pink Race in Florida.
We asked Julie Pearson, owner of Race Time Inc. based in Chicagoland IL, if she has seen a shift toward in-person event planning versus virtual races, in the large region she represents. She replied,
“Yes! Live races are definitely coming back. As counties, cities, forest preserves, and other venues open, organizations are organizing live races.”
This is exciting news for race directors and vendors alike, and especially exciting for runners.
How will you get race-starved runners, who are still being cautious, to choose your event?
Ready Set Brunch Runners in Running Awards & Apparel Screen Print Running Shirts
There will be plenty of races to choose from this coming summer and fall. These seasons are historically busy with scheduled running events and 2021 should be no different now that the pandemic is winding down. So, how can you make your event stand out among all the others, especially when some runners are still concerned about the pandemic at crowded venues? Again, we asked the expert, Julie at Race Time, this same question and what she thought race directors could do to help ease participants’ minds. She offered this great advice,
“Following CDC guidelines helps to put people’s minds at ease that the race they will be attending is safe. Also, offering BOTH in-person and virtual races will get more people to register for the event!”
Are some event planners not quite ready to go back to in-person events?
Some of our race director customers have been offering virtual events for years, and long before COVID hit our shores. Many of these events were added as “extra” add-ons at events that were looking for ways to increase participation each year. While some race directors can’t wait to get back to “real” events, there are others who have found a niche market with the virtual type and are going to keep on offering them. Some race directors are waiting and watching the event atmosphere in these near-post-pandemic days, and don’t want to begin planning until COVID is wiped from our memories and worries for good.
How do race directors who manage Virtual Events plan on retaining their participants?
Once again, we relied on Julie Pearson’s experience with race directors and events to answer this question. Her reply is one we can get behind 100-percent!
“The SWAG!”, Julie says emphatically and then goes on to say, “If a race is going to continue with virtual only, they need to offer the participant great SWAG and make it very easy to virtually participate.”
Taco Trot Tuesday Custom Race Medal
One (welcome) challenge may be a calendar filled with running events!
An experience race director knows that there are always going to be events that land on the same day as the event he or she is planning. That’s a given, especially in the late summer and fall months.
We recommend that you take these steps:
- look at local race calendars before choosing a date for your event
- use all social media platforms to post about your event and date
- send emails to your existing participant base with event and date
- share medal designs using the proofs provided by your medal vendor (like us!)
- post flyers at local running shops when able
These are all ways that help ensure you keep your number of participants where it needs to be to help make your event a success.
At Running Awards & Apparel, we supply custom artwork to share!
Not only are our artists the best in the industry, they also love to share their work! If you need custom medal or shirt art to assist you in the promotion of your upcoming event, let’s get started early on finalizing those designs.
Once finalized, we will provide you with art in pdf and/or jpeg, so that you can share with the running world at large and entice runners to earn your swag. Most of our customers have been doing this, with great success for years! Don’t hesitate to ask us about this service or about developing new designs for your next event – in person or virtual!
5k De Mayo – Feista Race Medal