Hosting an RRCA Championship Event

The RRCA Championship designation is awarded for the following standardized distances at the State, Regional & National level on an annual basis through a competitive bidding process:

• 5 K
• 10 K
• 10-Mile
• Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
• Marathon (26.2 miles)
• Ultra (any distance over 26.2 miles)
• Cross Country (variable distance; only one event)

State Reps and Regional Directors may grant additional State or Regional Championship Event distances as requested, but only after the standard distances have been awarded. An event can only be awarded one RRCA Championship designation. However, if the event has multiple distances, the event may be considered for State, Regional or National status for the various distances in the event.

RRCA’s Role in the Championship Event Series

The RRCA establishes and manages the bidding process, outlines guidelines for championship event standards and safety expectations for the event. The RRCA leverages sponsorship opportunities through the Championship Event Series that are designed to support the event host. The RRCA has clearly outlined branding expectations for Championship events, especially those taking advantage of the Championship Event suite of sponsors. The RRCA also assists with race promotion through the RRCA calendar and coverage of events in RRCA publications.

RRCA Championship status helps events attract sponsors and media attention for their event. A championship designation communicates to athletes and the community that the race organizers have agreed to follow approved guidelines in the conduct of the event. The RRCA establishes guidelines and standards for championship races, but organization, promotion, and management of the event is the responsibility of the event host and they must agree to follow our Guidelines for Safe Event Management.

Eligibility for an RRCA Championship Designation

Only RRCA member clubs and events in good standing may bid for an RRCA Championship designation. The event should be at least in its second year of operation. RRCA Championship Events are encouraged to start as RRCA State Championships then bid to be Regional then National RRCA Championships. However, well-established events may bid directly for Regional and/or National Championship designation. Events must agree to follow our requirements for hosting an RRCA Championship, which includes branding the event as an RRCA Championship to our expectations.

• The RRCA Championship Bidding Information and Instructions outlines the requirements for hosting an RRCA Championship event and sponsorship opportunities.
• Branding your RRCA Championship Event instructions outline the requirements for branding your RRCA championship event.  If your event takes advantage of any of the sponsorhsips of the RRCA Championship event series, you must brand your event to our expectations.
• RRCA Championship Logo

Championship Bid Submission Process

1. Review the event requirements ensure your event can and will comply with our requirements including branding your event.
2. Determine the appropriate designation for your event – State, Regional or National.
3. All bids must be made using the RRCA Championship Online Bid Form.
4. Complete the online bid form, print a copy for your records, then click submit. You will be notified of the status of your bid once championship designations are awarded.

Championship Bid Submission Deadlines

To ensure events have an opportunity to compete for all Championship designation levels, the deadlines for National, Regional, and State Championship bids are staggered as follows.

National Championship Bid Deadline: January 31st

Bids for National events are awarded one year in advance for marketing purposes. National Championship bids are due by January 31st for the next year. For example, bids for the 2012 National Championship events will be due on January 31, 2011.  There is a $250 marketing fee for each race selected as an RRCA National Championship event. These fees assist with RRCA marketing of the National Championship Event series.

Regional Championship Bid Deadline: September 1st

Bids for Regional Championships are due by September 1st for the following year. For example, bids for the 2010 events are due on October 1, 2009. There is no marketing fee for regional championships

State Championship Bid Deadline: October 1st

Bids for State Championships are due by October 1st for the following year. Events that do not receive a Regional designation will be considered for State Championship status after the Regional selection. There is no marketing fee for regional championships.

To ensure a full slate of standard race distances for the RRCA Championship Event Series any distance not designated after the bidding period will be filled on a first come first served basis for qualified races.  Any questions about information contained in this document or about the Championship designation can be addressed by sending an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Benefits of Becoming an RRCA Championship Race

RRCA Championship Plaques

National and Regional Championship races receive six plaques as part of the championship agreement.  These plaques should be presented to top overall, master and grandmaster male and female winners.  State Championships receive one set of six plaques per state.  The awarding of these plaques is at the discretion of the State Rep.  Please complete and email the award order form to membership@rrca.org at least three weeks before the race. These awards are separate from any other awards your race provides. If you wish to order other awards or finisher materials, you may contact Ashworth Awards directly to inquire about RRCA member discounts.

RRCA - Sigvaris Championship Race Bibs

All RRCA Championship races are eligible to receive free bib numbers for race participants.  The bibs, sponsored by Sigvaris, will contain the RRCA Championship logo, the race name, and the Sigvaris logo (sample bib).  Bibs are supplied by Rainbow Racing.  Championship races who choose not to receive free bibs can still receive deeply discounted pricing on bibs by placing an order directly with Rainbow Racing at 800-962-1011 and mentioning the RRCA.  Complete the online form to place your order for free RRCA Championship bibs.

• Sigvaris Logo

Gatorade Sponsorship

Gatorade will sponsor free product, cups, coolers, mixing wands and banners to RRCA Championship races. In order to qualify for this benefit, races must be at least 10K in length and host a minimum of 400 participants.  Ultra Marathon races (50K+) may qualify with fewer than 400 participants.  If your race meets these qualifications, please complete the Gatorade Sponsorship Request Form and email it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at least 45 days prior to race day.  Races exceeding 5,000 participants will be reviewed for sponsorship availability.

Once the sponsorship request form is returned you will receive an email from Gatorade requesting that you log onto their website to place the order for your race.  It is important to complete this information in a timely manner.  Your application will be removed if you do not complete it at least 35 days in advance of your race. You must follow the Gatorade instructions for setting up your fluid replacement stations.  If you receive Gatorade sponsorship, you must post the Gatorade logo on your website as a sponsor and include their logo on all other materials that promote the sponsors of the event.  After the race you will receive another email from Gatorade requesting that you complete the post race recap which includes sending photos of a Gatorade aid station at your event.  If this is not completed within three weeks after the race then the race will be denied sponsorship for 2011.

• Gatorade Logo

RRCA Championship Premiums

• Sports Authority Gift Cards and Discount Cards - National Championship races receive six, $100 Sports Authority gift cards for top overall, master and grandmaster male and female winners.  Regional Championships races receive six $50 Sports Authority gift cards.  Championship races will also receive Sports Authority discount cards for participant race packets.  The gift cards and discount cards will be mailed to the race director from the RRCA National Office prior to race day.
• Sigvaris Monogrammed Prize Bags - National Championship races will be provided with Sigvaris monogrammed prize bags for top overall, master and grandmaster male and female winners.  The bags will be filled with Sigvaris promotional items of Sigvaris’ choosing.
• FuelBelt Items - Championship races can request one free FuelBelt for every 100 participants.  These can be used as raffle prizes and/or given to race winners.  Races apply for this benefit directly through FuelBelt.

RRCA Championship Promotion

• Championship Flyers (buckslips) for Race Packets - Buckslips offering national corporate supporter coupons will be sent from the RRCA National Office prior to race day.
• Discounted Advertising for RRCA Championship Events- RRCA Championship events get a 50% discount on RRCA web ads.  RRCA Championship events get a discount for advertising in Club Running magazine.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
• RRCA Championship Banner - RRCA Championships will be supplied with an RRCA Championship banner.  National and Regional banners will be supplied through the RRCA National Office.  RRCA State Championship banners will be supplied by your RRCA State Rep.  The RRCA Championship banners must be returned to the sender after the event.

Post Race Reporting Requirements

Thank you for hosting an RRCA Championship event.  To finalize your requirements we have a few final reporting items you need to attend to: 

• Complete your Gatorade post event report within 3 weeks of your event. Gatorade will email requesting that you complete the post race recap.
• Obtain the link from your State Rep, Regional Director or the National Office to log your RRCA Champions in the RRCA Champions database;
• Send your post race press release to execdir@rrca.org for posting in the RRCA Running News;
• Send some of your race photos to execdir@rrca.org for posting in our Flickr account, shared on every page of www.RRCA.org.