How to organise a Six-Day Walk

A Six-Day Walk needs one master plan and a separate schedule for each day. Start by securing the start and finish locations, setting and checking every route, and arranging permits and traffic measures before inviting participants. Then organise rest stops, toilets, volunteers, registrations and medical information. In the final weeks, assign start groups, print route materials and sort equipment by day. On each morning, mark the route and set up the start and rest areas before walkers arrive.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

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

Preparations

1
Reserve start and finish locations
2 people
2
Set routes per day
3 people
3
Check and remeasure routes
3 people
4
Arrange permits and notifications
2 people
5
Coordinate traffic measures
2 people
6
Determine rest stops per route
3 people
7
Reserve toilets for rest stops
8
Recruit volunteers
2 people
9
Send invitations
2 people
10
Process registrations
2 people
11
Collect dietary requirements
12
Send participant information
2 people
13
Assign start times and groups
2 people
14
Have route maps printed
15
Collect medical contact details
16
Create the volunteer schedule
2 people
17
Make bib numbers and stamp cards
2 people
18
Prepare route arrows and ribbons
3 people
19
Check medical supplies
2 people
20
Check stock and groceries
2 people
21
Print route instructions
22
Sort materials by day
3 people

Event

23
Set up the start and finish area
6 people
24
Mark out the route
6 people
25
Set up rest areas
6 people
26
Set up the registration desk
3 people
27
Register participants
4 people
28
Hand out race numbers
3 people
29
Brief participants
2 people
30
See off the hikers
3 people
31
Staff rest points
8 people
32
Hand out water and snacks
6 people
33
Keep track of finish times
3 people
34
Refill drinks
2 people
35
Carry out the final route check
2 people
36
Remove Day Route
4 people
37
Set out the Day 2 route
6 people
38
Set up Day 2 rest stops
6 people
39
Open the start table
3 people
40
Check in and start participants
4 people
41
Staff Day 2 rest stops
8 people
42
Hand out water and snacks on Day 2
6 people
43
Register Day 2 finish
3 people
44
Check the Day 2 route
2 people
45
Set out the Day 3 route
6 people
46
Set up rest stops for Day 3
6 people
47
Let Day 3 participants start
4 people
48
Staff Day 3 Rest Stops
8 people
49
Distribute Day 3 Care Supplies
6 people
50
Register Day 3 Finish
3 people
51
Check the Day 3 route
2 people
52
Set out Day 4 route
6 people
53
Set up rest stops for Day 4
6 people
54
Get the participants started on Day 4
4 people
55
Staff the Day 4 rest points
8 people
56
Distribute Day 4 supplies
6 people
57
Register Day 4 Finish
3 people
58
Check the Day 4 route
2 people
59
Set out the Day 5 route
6 people
60
Set up the Day 5 rest stops
6 people
61
Let Day 5 participants start
4 people
62
Staff the Day 5 rest stops
8 people
63
Distribute Day 5 refreshments
6 people
64
Register the Day 5 finish
3 people
65
Check the Day 5 route
2 people
66
Set out the final course
6 people
67
Set up the final rest stops
6 people
68
Let final participants start
4 people
69
Staff the final rest stops
8 people
70
Hand out final care packages
6 people
71
Register finishers
4 people
72
Handle medal ceremony
4 people
73
Serve closing drinks and snacks
6 people
74
Check the final route
2 people

Aftercare

75
Clear the finish area
5 people
76
Clear Day 2 Materials
5 people
77
Clear away Day 3 materials
5 people
78
Clear away Day 4 materials
5 people
79
Clear Day 5 Materials
5 people
80
Remove all route signs
6 people
81
Clear the finish area
8 people
82
Clean dishes and materials
4 people
83
Collect and remove waste
4 people
84
Leave venues clean
4 people
85
Return borrowed materials
2 people
86
Clear away unused stock
2 people
87
Register lost and found items

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 8
Registration tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 12
Chairsqty 40
Waste binsqty 12
Changing room screensqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 300
Reusable platesqty 200
Cutlery setsqty 200
Coffee cupsqty 100
Water jugsqty 20

Equipment

Coolersqty 12
Kettlesqty 4
Coffee machinesqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 12
Power banksqty 12
Walkie-talkiesqty 10

Sports equipment

Route arrowsqty 180
Barrier tapeqty 20
Route signsqty 36
Stamp cardsqty 180
Bib numbersqty 180
Stampsqty 12
Medal ribbonsqty 180
Walking sticksqty 12
Collapsible cratesqty 24
Measuring wheelsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 30
Umbrellasqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 8
Paring knivesqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 12
Thermos flasksqty 20
Ice packsqty 48
Food containersqty 30
Nitrile glovesqty 400

First aid

First aid kitsqty 4
Bandagesqty 300
Blister plastersqty 250
Elastic bandagesqty 20
Blanketsqty 20
Disposable glovesqty 100
Disinfectantqty 6

Lighting

LED lanternsqty 12
Batteriesqty 48

Decorations

Buntingqty 12
Welcome signsqty 6
Stage ribbonsqty 6

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set every daily route before opening registration, then walk or remeasure it once more. A small change in distance affects route instructions, rest-stop timing and start-group planning.
Treat permits, notifications and traffic measures as early deadlines. Confirm them several weeks before the first walking day, because route changes made after printing create extra work.
Plan each rest stop around the route rather than adding supplies at the last minute. Reserve toilets, prepare water and coffee equipment, and check that tables, tents and waste bins can reach every stop.
Close registration with enough time to collect dietary requirements and medical contact details. Send participant information and start groups at least 7 days before the walk so questions do not arrive on the first morning.
Sort route arrows, ribbons, signs, stamp cards, bib numbers and other materials into six day-by-day crates. Check each crate the evening before, including phones, power banks, walkie-talkies, reflective vests and flashlights.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I organise a Six-Day Walk?: Start planning at least 12 to 16 weeks ahead. Secure locations, routes, permits and traffic measures first; volunteer recruitment and participant registration can follow once the route plan is stable.
When should I send information to Six-Day Walk participants?: Send the main participant information at least 7 days before the start. Include start times, group assignments, route instructions, rest-stop details and what participants should bring.
How many volunteers do I need for a Six-Day Walk?: Count volunteers by post rather than using one fixed total: registration, route marking, each rest stop, traffic points, medical support and the finish area all need cover. Build the schedule for all 6 days and add at least 10% reserve capacity for illness or no-shows.
When should I mark the routes for a Six-Day Walk?: Mark each route on the same day or the evening before, after checking the latest conditions. Recheck the first and last sections before walkers set off, and keep spare arrows, ribbons and signs available for missing or damaged markers.

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.