April 3, 2023
Tips on marathon bibs, flags, trophies, selfie booths, photographers, chips, refreshments, pacers, etc. to create the perfect running event.
Pune is an enchanting city that boasts a multitude of endearing features, many of which begin with the letter ‘M’.
One such example is the mouth-watering misal pav snack. The second ‘M’ can be allotted to the June to August monsoons that carpet all the hills and parks in this city green.
And along with the monsoons, there begins another activity starting with ‘M’ that holds a special place in the hearts of many Punekars, namely — Marathons. Our University grounds, the Vetal Tekdi hills, the Taljai hills, the Race Course area, etc., are all filled with running groups cross-training early in the morning.
But why talk about only Pune? Marathon events are popular throughout India. You will surely come across not just running and health clubs, but even cooperative housing societies and corporate businesses that organise these races. The marathon runners, too, are super enthusiastic, with everyone from ages 8 to 80 taking part in these events.
Now, as an organiser, you need to realise two things:
01
A marathon race will be on the bucket list for most first-time participants. And most runners will post on social media both during and after the race.
02
Now, as an organiser, you need to realise that planning and executing a successful and safe marathon event takes more than just putting up a few signs and setting up a starting line.
And so, in this blog post you will find tips to make your race day a huge success. Implement these ideas and you’ll find both the spectators as well as your participants raving about your preparations.
One of the most visible things on marathon day will be the bibs worn on the T-shirts of every runner. Get this part right and your event will already be taken to the next level.
At Orchid Digitals, we print your marathon bibs in high resolution on our digital printing press. Each bib can also carry its own variable data like the runner’s number, name, age, gender, race category, body weight, etc., to give you personalized bibs tailored to your specifications
These bibs carry the name of the race, the sponsors’ logos, the race category (5K, 10K, etc.) and, most importantly, the runner’s number, which lets you track each participant.
The paper and non-tearable bibs also have pin holes in the top left and right corners, so runners can attach them to their T-shirts with safety pins.
Our A5-sized prints are available in three variants. We have a thick 170 GSM paper bib, printed with water-resistant ink, that suits events where the bibs are likely to be thrown away after the race.
We also have a sturdier variant printed on NT (non-tearable) polyester, about 200 microns thick, that is waterproof and resistant to dust, sweat and scratches. Opt for this variant if you are organising a prestigious event like an international triathlon, wherein the bibs can also double as a badge of honour for the participants.
Runners typically save these marathon bibs as a keepsake for years after the race. So for events like these, it makes sense to opt for the longer-lasting non-tearable marathon bib.
Finally, there are a lot of runners who prefer not to pierce their T-shirts with pins in order to attach the marathon bibs. For these runners, we have bibs printed on sticker paper. All you have to do is peel and paste the sticker on your clothes, and you are ready to go. Alternatively, you can choose to pin this print as well.
Custom-printed certificates bearing the participants’ names and their finish times are an absolute must to make your runners feel special. Commemorating the athletes’ achievements adds more gravitas and recognition to the event.
At Orchid Digitals, we have the capability to print your certificates not just on regular 300 GSM card but also on textured or metallic card such as linen, leather or canvas textures, or gold and silver metallic finishes. Textured card also gives the certificate a surface that recipients can feel the moment they hold it.
We also have variable data printing software: send us the participants’ names and finish times in an Excel file, and we print them automatically on each certificate.
To see the card options and prices, visit our certificate printing page.
A selfie booth or a life-sized cut-out stand will be an instant hit among your participants. For example, the booth can carry your organisation’s branding and also display a congratulatory message like “I Ran 10 Kilometers Today!” or “I Completed the Pune International Marathon”.
People will crowd around such booths to have their photos clicked.
Another source of endless entertainment is our life-sized cut-out stands placed at strategic locations. These stands are cut in the shape of cartoons, mascots, or even your company logo. People invariably pose here to get their photos clicked!
A race needs a flag-off.
But instead of a plain white-coloured flag, how cool would it be if the flag carried your organisation’s logo or your event’s name?
Attention to such small details on race day makes a difference, because every runner will be looking at your branded flag before the race starts.
At Orchid Digitals, we can print flags bearing your artwork and designs. Head over to this page to source custom-printed flags made of thin fabric. Send us your artwork and we’ll take care of the printing!
A stage backdrop is another idea to make your race event memorable.
Every large public event or group activity affords ample opportunities for photography to make the event memorable. And you can consider erecting a huge backdrop with your brand colours/logos. People naturally gravitate towards such backdrops and pose in front of them to have their photos clicked.
A flex-printed stage backdrop helps create a festive atmosphere for your marathon and rewards the competitors for their effort after the long run. And when they pose in front of it for their pictures, you will see grins and victory signs all around!
You can even create a gate arch at the finish line to welcome your runners. As the name suggests, an arch spans the road that the runners pass through. And the arch can also be branded with your event logo and race details.
The effort invested by participants in a marathon deserves to be acknowledged and appreciated. After all, it takes considerable dedication, strength training and hard work to reach the finish line!
It is essential to acknowledge all of the participants in any running event, and giving a medal to each finisher is a great way to do this. Furthermore, the top contenders should be rewarded with stunning trophies.
We suggest consulting Amit Dixit from Amit Enterprises (8805001197) or Jeevan Sharma from Taj Services (9823083434). These vendors provide a broad selection of trophies and other gift articles that will make your athletes feel super special on their day of victory.
With their help, you can commemorate the participants’ achievements in a special manner!
If you are running a mass event with thousands of participants, timing chips can be used as an automated system to record the marathon time of all the runners. These RFID timing chips provide a hassle-free method of recording the time it takes for each runner to finish the marathon.
Here is how they work…
Participants wear timing chips in the form of a sticker placed behind their bib. The system also includes RFID timing mats placed at the beginning and end points of the race, as well as intermediate points like the 5K and 10K markers. As each runner passes over these timing mats, the system automatically records that runner’s time!
The timestamps of all the runners are then collated into a software program which can be used to further analyze the data.
Visit this page to learn more about timing chips for races and other marathon time recorders.
No event is complete unless it is recorded for posterity. And while everybody armed with a mobile phone is going to click selfies during the race, you will require the services of a professional photographer/videographer to capture the action on race day.
A skilled photographer or videographer can capture all of the exciting moments, like runners crossing the finish line, awards ceremonies, etc. They will also provide you with beautiful images that you can use to promote your event across various channels.
Sanjay Hira from Ratanz Photo Studio (9822064433) is a professional photographer based in Pune who provides excellent services for race events. Reach out to him and get creative photos and videos of your marathon event!
A great marathon event just isn’t complete without refreshments. Making sure that all the participants stay hydrated and refreshed is also essential to ensure the safety of your runners.
You need to place water tables at strategic points along the route. Consider partnering with a beverage company or energy drink brand to provide free drinks to your participants. This gesture will be much appreciated by your athletes.
Also try to arrange for food stalls that serve healthy snacks like protein bars, energy gels, fruits and other nutrition-rich items – these help runners refuel quickly when they start to tire!
Pacers are experienced runners who will accompany marathon participants on their journey, helping them stay motivated and cross the finish line within a set time. These pacers will gently exhort and encourage struggling runners and prevent them from giving up. They will also provide invaluable tips on running form, breathing techniques, pacing oneself to prevent exhaustion, etc.
Having designated pacers in a run creates a sense of community and camaraderie among the participants. And when you (as an organiser) go to the extra effort of providing pacers, your participants see that you care about even your slowest runners.
Every participant now gets a powerful message of support as they strive to reach the finish line within the parameters of their personal fitness goals.
Invite a dance or Zumba instructor to start your marathon event with an exciting warm-up routine! With dynamic moves and stretches, this pre-race routine will leave your runners invigorated and full of enthusiasm for the run ahead.
Furthermore, the instructors can host a post-race cool-down session with stretches. This will not only help prevent muscle soreness and fatigue but also lower the risk of injury.
Moreover, DJ booths near the start/finish line and along the course will keep runners moving with high-energy music. This will not only make every runner’s experience more enjoyable but also create an atmosphere of enthusiasm that is sure to push them all towards setting new personal bests!
Finally, never forget about medical services during long runs! Participant safety should be your top priority when organising a marathon event. And every successful race requires on-site medical care in case of any emergency or injury during the event.
Make arrangements with local authorities and hospitals to have paramedics stationed at strategic spots such as the halfway mark. Keep ambulances ready to transport injured athletes who require hospitalization or further treatment.
These measures will give your runners the confidence that they can push themselves without having to worry about their safety. And with everyone assured, you’ll be able to create an unforgettable marathon experience for all!
By now you may have realised that putting together a successful marathon requires some amount of effort and planning. And so, to ensure everything goes smoothly, you might want to think about getting professional help from an experienced event organiser.
By providing you with valuable advice on each step of the process, these experts will be your trusted go-to for bringing your running event to life. Plus, they’ll help you create a comprehensive timeline so that all tasks are completed within the set deadline.
For readers based in Pune, I would like to recommend Mr Vijay Gaikwad (+91 83295 40663) for this purpose.
Vijay heads a running and exercise club in Pune city. He is a professional boxer and has trained a number of fighters as well. He also trains people of all ages to run long-distance races.
He also organises his own marathon, ‘Vrukshathon’, in July.
Organising a marathon event is an exciting challenge that requires managing a lot of moving parts.
You need to source running bibs, certificates, medals, trophies, water, refreshments, etc. for the participants.
And while not mandatory, it also helps to arrange for timing chips, stage backdrops, selfie booths, professional photographers/videographers and dance instructors to make the event more fun.
Finally, the logistics also involve venue and route planning, the need for paramedics to stand by in case of emergencies, and experienced pacers to keep everybody going.
However, with these 12 tips in your arsenal, you will be able to create an unforgettable experience for all the runners participating in your race!
Good luck! 🙂 Happy Running!
Please note that Orchid Digitals has no connection whatsoever with the vendors and people listed above. We do not receive any form of commission from them either. I chose to include these particular people and companies in Pune simply because their services are exemplary and I wanted this list on ‘How to organise a marathon’ to be as comprehensive as possible!
Drop us a line. Send us your query. And we’ll get back to you with solutions and answers.
Mitesh lives, mostly for Saturdays.
But when forced to work, you’ll find him heading Orchid Digitals – a printing press in Pune.
If it’s an emergency, try looking for him in the hills behind his house. You’ll almost certainly find him… lazing under a tree, with a book in hand.
