In Kind Sponsorship: What We Actually Need
Quick answer: Not every business wants to sponsor with a check, and that is completely fine. The St. Pete Marathon needs water and hydration supplies, medical support and staffing, timing equipment and software, barricades and course safety equipment, port a potties, and printing services. If your business provides any of these, an in kind sponsorship can be one of the most direct ways to support the race.
- Key Takeaways
- We are working with a professional logistics company for race day operations, but real in kind needs remain.
- Water, medical support, timing equipment, barricades, port a potties, and printing are all genuine needs.
- In kind sponsorship gets the same recognition as a monetary sponsorship at the equivalent level.
- This is a practical way for service and supply businesses to support the race directly.
Water and Hydration Supplies
A marathon in Florida lives or dies on hydration. If your business supplies bottled water, sports drinks, or hydration products, this is one of the most visible and appreciated ways to contribute. Every water station along the course, and every runner who finishes safely in the heat, benefits directly from this.
Medical Support and Staffing
Medical coverage on race day is not optional, it is essential. If your business is a medical practice, urgent care, or staffing provider with clinical professionals available, partnering with us on medical coverage is one of the highest impact ways to sponsor the event.
Timing Equipment and Software
Accurate timing is what makes a race official, and it is what runners care about most when they cross that finish line. If your business provides timing equipment or race management software, this is a specific, high value need we are actively working to fill.
Barricades and Course Safety Equipment
Keeping runners safely separated from traffic and keeping the course clearly marked takes real equipment. If your business rents or supplies barricades, cones, or safety signage, this is a straightforward, practical way to sponsor.
Port a Potties
It is not glamorous, but it matters. Every race needs adequate restroom facilities along the course and at the start and finish areas. If your business provides this service, it is a genuine, appreciated need.
Printing Services
Race bibs, course signage, sponsor banners, and finisher certificates all need to be printed. If your business handles printing, this is a visible, useful way to be part of the race from the very beginning.
How In Kind Sponsorship Works
In kind sponsors receive the same recognition as monetary sponsors at an equivalent contribution level, including logo placement and race day visibility. We are working with a professional logistics company to handle overall race operations, but that does not replace the specific goods and services listed here. If your business provides any of these, reach out and we will talk through exactly how it fits into the race.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does in kind sponsorship get the same recognition as a monetary sponsorship?
Yes. In kind sponsors receive recognition equivalent to a monetary sponsorship at the same contribution level.
What if my business only provides one of these services, not several?
That is completely fine. A single in kind contribution, like printing or water supply, is a full and valuable sponsorship on its own.
Are you still looking for a professional logistics partner, or is that role filled?
We are already working with a professional logistics company for overall race day operations. The specific needs listed here, like water, medical support, and timing equipment, are separate from that and still open.
How do I offer an in kind sponsorship?
Reach out through our contact form and describe what your business can provide. We will follow up to talk through the details and how it fits into the race.
See the full picture of sponsorship options in Sponsor the St. Pete Marathon.