Event Guide
Host a Run
Bitcoin Runners events are led by passionate volunteers all over the world. You don't need permission, just a date, a time, a place, and a desire to bring people together in a fun, friendly, healthy way. This guide covers the rest.
Bitcoin Runners events are led by passionate volunteers all over the world. You don't need permission, just a date, a time, a place, and a desire to bring people together in a fun, friendly, healthy way. This guide covers the rest.
1. In advance: planning the basics
Decide the place, the date and meeting time, and the distance. 5 km works well for all levels of ability. If you're also hosting a walking option, and you're time constrained, around 3 km is a good distance.
Venue
If your run ties into a conference or meet-up, contact the organisers about adding it to their programme, either as a side event or part of the main lineup. Organisers have been very supportive of this initiative, and that's how most attendees will hear about it, so it's worth asking.
Place
Ideally start and finish at, or close to, the conference or meet-up venue. People are already there, and nobody has to work out how to get somewhere new before they've had coffee.
Date & time
The evening before, or the morning of, the main event tends to work best. Early enough that runners can still make the first talk; late enough that they'll actually turn up.
Route
Choose a route that suits all abilities, unless you're deliberately doing a specific challenge like running up a volcano (yes, we've done that). A loop, or an out-and-back, means nobody has to navigate home alone if they turn early.
Make it extra special
Include tourist sights or scenic viewpoints where you can. For many runners and walkers it'll be their first time in that spot, and being on foot is the best way to see it.
Local knowledge
If you don't know the area, ask a local, or use a running app like Strava to plan a safe, enjoyable route. Popular segments and heatmaps tell you where people actually run.
Recruit a helper
Ideally in advance, but it can be done on the day: recruit at least one other person to take the tail of the group, so the last runner never feels left behind or like they're slowing everyone down. In a perfect world you'd have someone at the front, middle and back, but one at the front and one at the back works fine.
2. Submit your event
Once the basics are settled, send them over. We'll list the run on the events page and give it its own shareable event page, which is what you'll link to when you announce it.
Submit an EventQuestions first? hello@bitcoinrunners.org
3. Announcing your run
A good announcement answers the questions people actually have before they'll commit: what is it, when, where exactly, and what should I bring? Keep it short, cover the six points below, and link to the event page you got when you submitted. That's where RSVPs and the map live. Bonus points if you make a flyer!
Before you announce
- Check the event organisers have your run in their schedule.
- Check there is an RSVP set up, either directly on the Bitcoin Runners website via the page you submitted, or on your own reservation system.
- Summary
- Kick off the ABC Conference in a positive and healthy way with a 5 km social run/jog, honouring Hal Finney and contributing to his remarkable legacy.
- What
- 5 km easy social run/jog. Free to attend and open to all abilities.
- When
- Day, date and month, plus both the meeting time and the start time.
- Where
- A description of the meeting point plus a precise, clickable map link, such as Google Maps or what3words. "Outside the main entrance" means different things to different people; a pin doesn't.
- Why
- Because proof-of-work matters, and like bitcoin it will give you superpowers.
- What to bring
- Running shoes and clothes you feel comfortable working out in. That's it.
4. On the day
Run/Walk Briefing
- Welcome everyone. Introduce yourself and any other leaders.
- Thank the volunteers, hosts and any sponsors.
- Ask where people have travelled from, and whether it's their first Run For Hal, their first 5 km, or both. Give them a cheer.
- If needed, ask for a local volunteer to help with navigation.
- Outline the distance, the route, and the pace: conversational.
- Point out hazards: traffic, street furniture, trip hazards, bears, and 💩-coiners.
- Get a group photo before heading off, for those whose opsec allows.
During the run
- Regroup at every major turn or change of direction to avoid a chain split. Nobody should have to guess which way the group went.
- Stick to the promised distance and keep the pace conversational, unless the whole group agrees otherwise.
- Keep an eye on the back of the group, not just the front.
After
- Thank everyone for participating.
- Grab a recovery drink and/or food together, for those who have time. You've earned it!
- Share your proof-of-work on social media, tag us, send us the group photo. We'll add it to the event page and give the run a shout-out.