The Race Day Formula
Road races concentrate 100% of demand in 45 minutes before the gun. Every runner needs the restroom before the start. Standard event ratios underestimate this.
| Race | Runners | Start Units | Finish Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 200 | 3–4 | 2 |
| 10K | 500 | 6–8 | 4–5 |
| Half marathon | 1,000 | 12–16 | 8–10 |
| Full marathon | 2,000 | 28–35 | 15–20 |
Start and Finish Area Strategy
Place banks 50–75 feet back from start corrals. Position on both sides for balanced access. Corrals open 45–60 min before gun — all units must be stocked and in position before that. Keep 4–6 units at the finish line for the post-race period.
Mid-Course Placement
Half marathon: 2 units at mile 4–5 and mile 8–9 near water stations. Full marathon: 2–4 units every 3 miles. Co-locate with water station volunteers who can direct runners. Retrieve mid-course units after the course sweep.
ADA Requirements
Road races are public events — at least 5% of all units (minimum 1) must be ADA-compliant. ADA units must be on firm, accessible surfaces. Position at the end of unit banks, never in the middle of a cluster.
Cost Estimates
| Race | Runners | Units | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | 200 | 5–6 | – |
| 10K | 500 | 10–13 | –,300 |
| Half marathon | 1,000 | 20–26 | ,500–,600 |
| Full marathon | 2,000 | 43–55 | ,200–,500 |
Race Director Checklist
- ☐ Unit count using race formula (not standard event ratio)
- ☐ Delivery 2+ hours before corrals open
- ☐ Mid-course GPS coordinates confirmed with vendor
- ☐ ADA unit on accessible surface at each location
- ☐ Finish area units stay in service until post-race cleanup done