PUBLISHED 06/04/2008
Larger races often offer an attractive purse of prize money to attract elite athletes and lend credibility to their event. In these races, most runners won't be competing in your race with the hopes of bringing home prize money.
For small events, trophies, ribbons, plaques, medals or certificates may be all the prize you need for your top finishers. Be sure to have prizes for the top three finishers in every age category, male and female. This may mean that you have leftover awards for the less popular categories.
To include all competitors with the opportunity to bring something home, it may be far more interesting and exciting to a race participant to take part in a raffle for prizes donated by local companies, sponsors, etc.
Runner's World offers race directors who sign up for its full sponsorship program the opportunity to purchase discounted subscription certificates as finishing or raffle prizes. Visit www.runnersworld.com/raceseries to list your event and qualify for the discounted subscriptions.
