As many of you know, my Grandmom passed away back in October. Before she passed away, my sisters and I decided that we wanted to organize a 5k/10k in remembrance of her…as well as to benefit Bladder Cancer. We thought that having a race for her would be a perfect idea…she was very active throughout her life…always involved with sports, etc (she was even a water aerobics instructor for the old ladies in her village!). We told her about our plans and she was very excited about it. We planned on having the race start in Margate, NJ (a shore town where she lived for most of her life, where my mom grew up, and where we currently have a house in). She was very involved in the town ….she served as a Sergeant in the Detective Division of the Atlantic Country Prosecutors Office and was a member of the PBA.
I know that if we planned this race, it would be very successful. And as excited as we were to do it…we just never got around to planning it. Now I know that it is only February…but its time to get a move on (races take a LONG time to plan!). Of course we are busy. My oldest sister (Danielle) is in her third year of Med School, my middle sister , Mary, is in graduate school for teaching/reading specialist…and I am in my second semester of my junior year of college. but the thing is…no matter what- we will always be busy/have stress…it’s a part of life. so instead of waiting for the right time to do something…waiting for things to settle down…I have decided to get it done…to learn how to deal with things in midst of a busy life/stress. Afterall– planning this race is something that is super important to me. I will not be satisfied unless it is done….I will not be happy unless we pull it off.
anyway…enough babling… I contacted the City Clerk office of Margate and they told me to email the Chief of Police. …..which is perfect becuase (a) I work for him in the summer and (b) my grandmom knew him very well. The lady at the city clerk told me to include exact information about the race (the date, distance, roads that need to be closed, events before/after, amount of people expected, what the race is for, etc.).
distance: 5k/10k
benefit: in rembrance of our grandmom, Yvonne Stewart and to benefit bladder cancer research
expected number of runners: 500??
more info: I would like to have some sort of ceremony with the police (since she was an officer) before the race, music (live?) after the race with post-race food, t-shirts, and awards.
This is going to be a lot of hard work…we will need to get a company for timing, sponsors, t-shirts, awards, food, advertising…etc….but I am very very excited to get to work 😉
Question: Have any of you ever organized a race? If so, do you have any suggestions? Anything will help! thanks 😉
love and miss you, Grandmom ❤ 9.15.09.
That is awesome about the race! Pay my ticket and I am there 😉
Wow, quite an undertaking and good for you for taking it on!! Your Grandmom would be proud. I’ve never organized a race, so can’t be of much help. I’m sure there’s lots of step by step info online, though.
This sounds like a great idea! It’s great that you’re taking charge.
I have never planned a race, but it sounds like a lot of work! But fun kind of work if you know what I mean..good luck!!
wow that is such an amazing way to celebrate her life! good luck with the planning. i’m sure it’ll be a lot of work but it’ll also be 100% worth it. 🙂
What a great idea! Congrats to you for getting the process started…I hope everything comes together beautifully for you!
Oh wow how awesome is that you can do this!! I’ve never organized a race nor participated in one. I’m actually running in my first 5k this Saturday for Make a Wish.
My aunt that died had Thymic cancer and is a very rare form. Well I went to that foundations site and they have no events going on!! I thought maybe they do a walk, race or marathon for the cause and I would of loved to join but nothing.
Good luck on getting everything together. That is awesome!
What an awesome tribute to your grandmother. No advice from me, but I wish I could run in it!
that sounds wonderful T!!!! 5k thats how many miles? i want to do it!!!
3.1 miles
yea Therese! Both you and Janine will be there ! hahaha. I’m super excited Tina. I sent you an email regarding each of our roles, etc. I’m going to compare the 3 free race management programs today in order to decide the one we will be using. Did you email Chief?
This is AWESOME! Can’t wait and if you need anything at all please let me know. I will do what ever I can to help.
Thanks for offering…we’ll need a lot of help! haha I’d be so glad if you could help out! It’s going to be so much fun!
In Arizona there is RacePlace Events where they time the race and do many other things for the race. I’m sure there must be something like that by you. Contact some of the race organizers from 5K’s in your area. As a fellow runner, I’m sure they would be happy to help direct you.
You are so right that there is always an excuse and we are always going to be busy so just do it now 🙂 Hopefully you’ll find a lot of people in your area to help you!
wow this is such an awesome idea !! me and my sis will come 🙂 keep us up to date
[…] Christina and her sisters are putting together a race in their grandmother’s honor for Bladder Cancer. If you have any advice go share your wisdom and wish they luck! […]