Mass participation races can cover a lot of ground. Whether it is in a park, stretch of road or throughout a city, they need a number of willing volunteers to help them take place. Being a volunteer is a chance to be involved without doing the running but still feeling a real sense of reward for helping others.
Not only do volunteers help keep everyone on track, they provide water, safety and moral support to runners every step of the way. It’s often the volunteers who can get the spectators cheering and clapping, providing atmosphere for the crowd as well as for the participants.
The website Join In, external is a good starting point to find volunteering opportunities for high-profile mass participation events. Many of the events themselves also have online forms for anyone interested in volunteering.
For volunteering opportunities in your region, visit Volunteer Scotland, , externalSport Wales, external, and Volunteer Now, external in Northern Ireland.
Here are a few things to consider before choosing your first race:
