Choosing the event
This is where you decide where the 10K will happen and who will build and run it. Get this right early, because everything else depends on it.
Finding a course
A 10K with real obstacles needs professional help. Most charities will work with an outside provider rather than build a course themselves.
| Option | Good for | Watch for |
| Obstacle-course provider | Purpose-built obstacles, trained staff, proven safety systems | Cost, and fixed dates |
| University sports grounds | Familiar space for student teams, often lower cost | Fewer obstacles, so you may need to add some |
| Outdoor activity centre | Woodland and water, plus on-site facilities | Course length, so check it can reach 10K |
Ask providers whether they can extend an existing route to 10K, and whether they have run team events for women in modest dress before.
Date and season
Choose a date at least five or six months ahead. Late spring and early autumn are kindest on the weather. Avoid exam periods, Ramadan and the days around the Eids. If you work with university societies, check the academic calendar and aim to tie in with a charity week.
The course itself
The course mixes cross-country sections with obstacles. It should include hills, woodland paths, streams and uneven ground, plus climbs, crawls, carries and water. Every obstacle needs an adapted route that is marked and staffed, so that a team member with an injury or a lower fitness level is never left out.
Safety cover
Safety is not optional, and you are responsible for it as the organiser.
- A qualified first-aid provider on site, such as St John Ambulance, with a clear emergency plan
- Trained marshals at every obstacle
- Vehicle access for emergency services along the course
- A radio or phone network linking marshals, first aid and the control point
- A written risk assessment, agreed with your provider and reviewed on the day
Safety note: Wet, muddy clothing is heavy and cold. Long garments can snag on obstacles and slow waders in water. Ask your provider to check every obstacle with full-length clothing in mind.
Facilities that matter
Small details make a day feel welcoming, and they remove real barriers. Check that the venue offers:
- Private, women-only changing areas and hot showers
- A clean space for salah (prayer) with wudu (ablution) facilities nearby
- Halal food and plenty of water
- Women-only marshals, first aiders and photographers where you can arrange them
- A quiet space for anyone who needs a break
Questions for your provider
Use this list when you meet them.
- Can you extend your course to 10K, with adapted routes at every obstacle?
- What is your insurance, and what does it cover?
- Who provides first aid, and how many staff will be on site?
- Can you provide women-only marshals and private changing?
- How do staggered start times work for twenty or more teams?
- What is the full cost, and what is included?
- What is your weather and cancellation policy?
With the venue settled, you can turn to the people who will run it.