Permit and safety checklist

Rules differ from town to town and state to state, so treat this as the list of questions to ask, not legal advice. Your ticks stay on this device.

Ask your town or city which office handles road races and what it needs.

Ask about park or property permission if the course or start area is on private or park land.

Pick a date and a backup, and check it against the town calendar.

Ask your insurer or a race insurance provider about event liability cover.

Send the course map for approval, including road closures and crossings.

Ask the police department about traffic control and what it costs.

Ask about EMS or first aid cover, and how it reaches the course.

Check whether your state or town needs a charitable solicitation or raffle registration, if you are raising money.

Get every permit and permission in writing, and keep copies together.

Ask for the insurance certificate, naming anyone who requires it.

Tell homes, businesses and churches along the course about the closures.

Book toilets, cones, barricades and trash pickup.

Write a waiver and have someone qualified read it.

Confirm times with police, EMS, the town and the timer.

Write the bad weather plan and who decides.

Give every course marshal a phone number to call.

Carry printed permits and the emergency plan on race day.

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