Why Race Directors Choose First Charter’s Shuttle Services for Marathons and Races

As a race director, event producer or operations lead, you know planning a marathon or large-scale race isn’t just about securing permits and setting up mile markers — it’s about moving hundreds or thousands of people seamlessly through a city that may already be gridlocked with road closures and spectators.

That’s where First Charter comes in. With decades of experience in large-scale event shuttles, we specialize in moving racers, volunteers, and/or spectators to and from your event reliably, affordably, and safely.

Marathon-Day Transportation, Made Easy

Road Closures & City Logistics
Closed streets and crowded downtown corridors mean racers can’t always drive to start lines or finish areas. Our marathon shuttle buses bridge the gap — whether it’s moving people from remote parking lots, park-and-rides, and hotels directly to your event staging areas.

Cost of Moving Crowds
Moving hundreds or thousands of people? That’s where costs can spiral out of control. Our standard yellow school buses seat up to 48 adults (or 72 kids) and are up to 50% more affordable than motorcoaches, giving you a scalable, cost-effective way to transport large groups without sacrificing safety or comfort.

On-Site Coordination & Reliability
The best-laid logistics plan means nothing if it falls apart on race day. That’s why we don’t just send buses and drivers — we can provide experienced on-site coordinators who work alongside your operations team, adjust in real time, and ensure every shuttle runs on schedule.

Experienced Drivers You Can Count On
Navigating crowded roads and restricted areas isn’t easy. Our trained, vetted, and professional drivers know how to handle the pressure of large events, so you can focus on your runners and operations — not traffic patterns.

Our Fleet Advantage

Your event has unique needs, and no two races look the same. That’s why we offer a flexible fleet of shuttles designed to move every group efficiently and safely:

• Full-Size Yellow School Buses – Up to 48 adults or 72 kids per bus, ideal for high-volume runner shuttles.
• Transit Yellow School Buses – Up to 52 adults or 90 kids per bus, ideal for large-scale shuttles.
• Mini-Buses – Perfect for moving smaller groups of staff, VIPs, or media without deploying a full-size bus.
• Specialized Options – From air-conditioned buses, to custom-branded wraps that showcase your event, to ADA-accessible vehicles that ensure inclusivity — we make sure your transportation not only works, but works for everyone.

And no matter which marathon or race shuttles you need, you’ll benefit from:

• Affordable, Competitive Pricing – Up to 50% more affordable than motorcoaches, freeing up dollars for other event essentials.
• Nationwide Coverage – With more than 45,000 buses across the U.S. and Canada, with the scale to support both local 5Ks and citywide marathons.
• Safety & Reliability – Every bus is rigorously maintained and driven by professionals trained to the highest industry standards.
• Peace of Mind – First Charter maintains $10 million in liability coverage for every trip — double the USDOT minimum and more than triple Transport Canada’s standard.

Reserve Your Marathon Fleet Today

Partner with First Charter to keep your event moving smoothly from the first shuttle to the last runner. Request an instant quote and our team will put a custom plan together for your event.