Advice from David Brown, president of RJO Corporate and Run4FunTshirts.com, on working with race organizers and directors.

>>Don't Miss! Promo Market To Target: Charity Races

1 Communicate After Regular Business Hours: “It’s probably not part of their full-time job, so they do the event planning in the evening. If they start emailing me at 6 p.m., I must respond that evening or else they don’t see it for 24 hours.”

2. Be Prepared for a Sprint to the Finish: “These folks push their orders as late as possible so they can estimate quantities and sizes; they can’t afford to lose hours.”

3. Don’t Push Too Many Products at First: “I make sure to prove that I’m a reliable shirt provider and can offer design help if they want to streamline or jazz up their logo. The following year, I ask about other possible needs: timers, running bibs, bags, banners, tablecloths, canopies, tents.”