Sponsored cross-country or lap run checklist: before, on the day and after

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Before

Book the date on your own grounds or hall so nothing else clashes.
Read the food-safety rules for fundraising sales and plan safe handling.The rules
Write a one-page safety plan: hazards, who is in charge, first aid, what to do if it rains.
Arrange a first aider and a stocked first aid kit.
Use the existing cross-country day or a 'run for us' day with a measured loop (Newlands used a 500 m circuit).
Choose the pledge type: per lap (with a suggested cap) or a flat amount; flat pledges are easier to collect.
Send sponsor forms and an online link 3 weeks out; say what the money will buy.
Recruit lap counters with class lists, stamps or wristbands.

While it runs

First aider on site, and everyone knows where the kit is.
Run by age group, record each child's laps or finish.
Give children a printed lap total to take home to sponsors.
Allow 2 weeks to collect money; send one reminder.

After

Count in pairs, bank, and announce class totals and total distance (Newlands reports kilometres run each year).
Thank donors, sponsors and helpers, by name where they’re happy with that.

Watch out for

Per-lap pledges from keen runners can surprise sponsors; suggest a cap.
Running it close to a read-a-thon or colour run asks the same sponsors twice.
Lap counting errors cause disputes; use wristbands or a stamp per lap.

Cross-country is a curriculum activity, so sponsorship must be optional. If the course leaves school grounds onto roads or council reserves, check with the council.

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Sponsored cross-country or lap run: checklist

Before

While it runs

After

Watch out for

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