Key takeaways
- A first-time organizer planned 14 units: 12 standard and 2 accessible.
- Size for the pre-start rush: about 1 unit per 75–100 runners.
- Every cluster — start/finish and aid stations — gets an accessible unit.
How many porta potties did the race need?
The organizer planned 14 units for a loop half marathon: 12 standard and 2 ADA-accessible, with most at the shared start/finish and a standard plus an accessible unit at the halfway hydration station. Sponsors arrived at 4, the race ran 6 to 9, and teardown began at 10.
“I'm going to have 12 normal porta-potties, and then two ADA-accessible ones.”
How do you size race restrooms?
Size for the 30 minutes before the gun, not the whole field. Plan about 1 unit per 75–100 runners at the start/finish and 1–2 per aid station, with at least one accessible unit in every cluster. On a loop course, the start/finish cluster also serves runners mid-race.
| Runners | Start/finish | Per aid station | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | 3–4 | 1 | 1 per cluster |
| 600 | 6–8 | 1–2 | 1 per cluster |
| 1,000 | 10–12 | 2 | 1 per cluster |
Where should the units go?
Put the start cluster in a straight row near the corral with doors facing the runners and lines forming away from the course. At aid stations, put units 20–30 yards past the water table. Set accessible units on the paved end of each cluster nearest parking.
- Start row near — not on — the corral.
- Doors face runners; lines form away from the course.
- Aid-station units past the water table.
- Accessible unit on the paved end of each cluster.
- Extra paper staged at the start.
When should a race book?
As soon as the course is permitted — usually 6–8 weeks out — with a final count two weeks before race day. Units are set the day before, so a 6 AM start never depends on a race-morning truck. Extra paper is staged at the start cluster.
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Related questions
How many porta potties for a 5K or half marathon?
Plan about 1 unit per 75–100 runners at the start/finish and 1–2 units at each aid station, with at least one accessible unit per cluster. A first-time half-marathon organizer in our log planned 14 units — 12 standard and 2 accessible — with most at the start/finish and a standard plus an accessible unit at the halfway aid station.
Do I need a wheelchair-accessible porta potty?
If your event is open to the public, plan at least 5% of units in each cluster as accessible, minimum one, under the 2010 ADA Standards §213.2. For private parties, add one whenever a guest uses a wheelchair or walker. A race organizer in our log planned 12 standard and 2 accessible units — one accessible unit at each restroom cluster.
Do you give a discount for more than one unit?
Yes. Three or more units on the same drop get multi-unit pricing, and churches, schools and nonprofit races can ask about community rates. Because delivery is charged once per drop, adding a second unit already costs less than the first.
Can I change my delivery date after I book?
Yes — date changes are free any time before the truck leaves the yard. Call or reply to your quote text. Your price stays the same unless you move into a holiday weekend that is already fully booked, in which case dispatch tells you before anything changes.