So you love mountain biking and want to run a running event. Not sure where to start or what to consider? The following list is information on how you can organize and promote a mountain bike race event. It will help you get started and give you some tasks to consider. This is what you need to think about.

1. Select a location to have a race.

2. Get permission to run at the desired location. You might consider contacting the land owner, the local government or the police. Verbal approval may be required to have the race at the specified location, but it is best to get it in writing.

3. Consider race:

the race route

The distance and/or duration of the race.

Decide which career categories you will offer.

Plan start times for each group? The fastest cyclists usually start before the slowest cyclists. Will you need on-site medical assistance on race day?

4. Try to get sponsors to help keep your costs down and be prepared to offer them something in return. As an example, you can put your logo on flyers, a banner, or on a website, etc.

5. Make a flyer of the race and distribute it to bike shops, schools and send it by email. Also post it on classified mountain bike sites. Make sure the brochure includes:

Location and directions of the event

Race categories and distance

prize list

entrance fee

Last possible time to register

contact information

any special notes

6. Consider the other things:

How many volunteers do you need?

Order race numbers

request trophies

Get water, Gatorade, food

Start/stop request and/or marketing banners

Work with the police if necessary

Prepare a press release to send out 30 days in advance.

Reserve any additional equipment you may need: tables, awning, PA system, etc.

7. Develop a task list and train your volunteers. The more you communicate with your volunteers, the more organized your race event will be. You can’t do it yourself.

On race day keep calm and know what to do. Everyone is there to have fun, so enjoy your day. When the mountain bike race is over, don’t forget to walk the trail and make sure there is no trash on the course.