Aid Station Spirit Guide

You don’t have to be Martha Stewart with a megaphone—but if you’ve ever wanted an excuse to wear a tutu in the woods or blast 90s pop from a folding table, this is your permission.

None of this is required. You don’t need to buy anything or stress about decorations. But if going all-in sounds fun to you? We’re all for it. STFU runners and ruckers are out there pushing hard, and every funny sign, weird outfit, or cowbell cheer helps keep them moving. Some runners will run straight through with just a quick “thank you.” Others will become your new BFF.

We’ve put together some easy, fun ideas below to help you bring the energy—whether you’re Team Inflatable Dinosaur or just really good at yelling “WATER OR TAILWIND?” into a megaphone.

Aid Station Party Ideas: Make Your Stop the Most Memorable One on the Course

1. Pick a Theme:

Luau: Grass skirts, leis, pineapple cups, beach vibes
80s Throwback: Neon everything, boom box with 80s jams
Pirates: Eye patches, “ARRR you thirsty?” signs, gold coin candies
Camping Crew: Flannel shirts, fake campfire, s’mores vibes
Spa Station: Robes, cucumbers for eyes, offer a “hydration facial” (spritz of water)
“We Trained for This” Tailgate: Lawn chairs, coolers (for snacks), and matching tees that say “Professional Enablers”

2. Dress Up:

Costumes that match your theme
Wigs, hats, tutus, matching team shirts, onesies, bandanas - whatever fits your vibe
Temporary tattoos, face glitter, face paint

3. Sound Effects + Music:

Cowbells and noisemakers
Bluetooth speaker with an upbeat playlist - blasting “Eye of the Tiger,” “Run the World,” or dramatic opera
Megaphone for dramatic encouragement (“You look amazing!” or “You outran a bear!”) - great for puns, motivation, or shouting made-up stats
Group chants like “STFU!…and Run!”

4. Signs That Make Them Laugh:

“Free pierogi if you smile”
“You trained for this. Probably.”
“Run now, STFU later.”
“You’re not lost… probably.”
“This is technically a good idea”
“You’ve done worse things sober”
“Trail mix fixes everything”
“This is fine. Everything is fine.”
“Worst parade ever.”
“Run like your snacks depend on it”
“This is basically a progressive dinner.”

5. Bonus Motivation:

Bubbles
Misting spray bottles if it's hot
Display your own mini “leaderboard” of most entertaining runner quotes you hear throughout the race

6. Bring a Mascot:

Inflatable dinosaur
Cardboard cutout of Nicolas Cage or Chuck Norris (why not?)
Giant stuffed animal dressed in running gear

7. Show the Love:

Personalized cheers (“Looking good, bib 132!”)
Yell bib numbers like it’s a game show
Offer bad jokes, riddles, or “Would You Rather” questions as runners roll through
Keep spirits high—people remember the fun
Designate someone to be the “STFU Motivator” with a crown, cape, or clipboard

🚫 A Quick Note on Clean-Up:

Please no glitter, confetti poppers, or anything that leaves a mess behind. We love wild ideas, but we also love keeping the park clean and respecting the trails. Let’s make it weird and responsible.

This is your time to shine—make your aid station the most memorable stop on the course (besides the finish line). Runners may not remember their splits, but they will remember how hard they laughed when you told them to STFU and keep going.