24-Hour Run Checklist

A 24-hour run needs more than a marked course and a start time. You must arrange the venue, permits, insurance, registration, volunteer shifts and overnight lighting well before race day. This checklist follows the work from early planning through course setup, participant check-in and the final handover. Use it to spot the details that are often left until the last week, such as dietary requirements, spare power, bib sorting and clear route markers.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Reserve venue
Record the course
3 people
Apply for required permits
Check insurance
Make reservations
Open registration form
Send invitations
2 people
Publish competition information
Process registrations
2 people
Collect dietary requirements
Recruit volunteers
2 people
Assign volunteers
2 people
Order race numbers
Carry out a route check
3 people
Check the weather forecast
Do the shopping
3 people
Sort bib numbers
2 people
Prepare registrations
2 people
Make route signs
2 people
Bring materials to the venue
4 people
Set out the course
5 people
Set up the start and finish arch
4 people
Build party tents
5 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Hang lighting
3 people
Test power supply
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Set up catering
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set up first aid table
2 people
Lay out bib numbers
2 people
Give volunteer briefing
3 people

Event

Register participants
4 people
Check the starting area
3 people
Brief participants
2 people
Start 24-hour run
4 people
Register laps
3 people
Staff the water station
2 people
Serving food
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Set up the night post
3 people
Check night lighting
2 people
Relieve the night shift
2 people
Record laps at night
3 people
Serve the late meal
2 people
Serve hot drinks
2 people
Restock drinks overnight
2 people
Serve breakfast
3 people
Record laps in the morning
3 people
Staff the water station
2 people
Prepare the finish area
3 people
Guide the last participants
3 people
Officially end the race
4 people
Check the round totals
3 people
Thank participants
2 people

Aftercare

Remove course materials
5 people
Take down tents
5 people
Clear tables and chairs
4 people
Collect waste
3 people
Clean the venue
4 people
Wash dishes
2 people
Check materials
2 people
Return materials
3 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Publish results
Send participant messages

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 30
Beer table setsqty 4
Clothes racksqty 2

Equipment

Coolersqty 6
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 6

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 8
LED string lightsqty 4
Headlampsqty 12

Sports equipment

Bib numbersqty 80
Race bib strapsqty 80
Route arrowsqty 40
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 30
Kilometer markersqty 10
Clipboardsqty 6
Round markersqty 500
Safety vestsqty 20
Course mapsqty 30
Start and finish arch
Spare shoelacesqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Platesqty 100
Cutlery setsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving tongsqty 8
Soup potsqty 2
Serving spoonsqty 4
Ice packsqty 24

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Dustpans and brushesqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectant gelqty 6
Toilet paper rollsqty 24
Paper towel rollsqty 12

First aid

First aid kitsqty 2
Disposable glovesqty 4
Cold packsqty 12
Athletic tapeqty 8
Blister plastersqty 4
Emergency blanketsqty 10

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Start with the venue, permits and insurance before opening registration. Allow at least several weeks for approvals, and confirm that the site can support overnight access, lighting, toilets and power.
Plan volunteer coverage for the full 24 hours, not just the start and finish. Use staggered shifts with overlap so one team can brief the next about course conditions, lap counts and incidents.
Check the route in daylight and again after dark. Place kilometre and lap markers where runners can see them, then test the route arrows, barrier tape, traffic cones and headlamps before participants arrive.
Prepare overnight power and lighting as a separate plan. Count extension cords and power strips, charge walkie-talkies and power banks, and keep LED work lights available for registration and course changes.
Finish participant administration before race day. Sort bib numbers, prepare registration materials and record dietary requirements early; also bring spare shoelaces, reusable cups and enough serving equipment for the overnight period.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a 24-hour run?: Start venue, permit and insurance checks at least 8 to 12 weeks before the event. Open registration only after the course, schedule and essential safety arrangements are confirmed.
How many volunteers do I need for a 24-hour run?: Plan several shifts rather than asking one team to stay all day. For each active station, schedule at least 2 people per shift and add overlap during setup, the start, overnight handover and the finish.
What lighting is needed for a 24-hour run?: Use fixed lighting for registration, the start and finish area, plus headlamps or other portable lights for dark sections of the course. Test every section after sunset at least once before race day and keep spare batteries or charged power banks available.
When should I mark and set up the course?: Carry out the final route check 1 to 2 days before the run, then set out signs, cones, tape and markers on race day after checking the weather. Walk the complete route again before opening registration.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.