This weekend my son and I volunteered at a local 5K race. It was our first race to volunteer together, and my first time volunteering during a race. It was so much fun! I have always wanted to help out behind the scenes of a race, but I have also wanted to run in those races.
I am following the MAF training plan and am running for fun… I found this to be the perfect opportunity to volunteer and help out! Last minute, I decided to see if our local running store (who organized this event) needed any volunteers. They did. We accepted. The adventure and memory was set in motion!
My oldest son and I had such a great time volunteering this past weekend, I compiled a list of 6 reasons why YOU should volunteer at races too. I tried to share just 5, but I kept coming back to the extra one. So… if you like the number five, think of it as five plus a bonus reason.
6 Reasons You Should Volunteer at Races
An opportunity to give back
Volunteering, in all aspects, is a great way to give back to your local community. Volunteering during a race is a great opportunity to give back to the running community.
A chance to earn a free race entry for a future race
Some races give you the opportunity to earn a free race entry for the next years race, when you volunteer at their race. If you have been interested in running in a particular race (big or small) it would be a great chance to check it out before running… while giving back to the running community.
A greater appreciation for the other side of the running community
While running a race, I have great appreciation for those who volunteer and help out during a race. I am always conscious of being gracious and kind to those volunteers.
As a runner who volunteers a race, it gives me a greater appreciation for the other side of the running community and all that it involves. They take time away from their family, friends and day to cheer you on and make sure you have a successful race. Volunteers have a great heart, passion and love for the running community too.
Participate when you can’t run
As a runner, volunteering during a race was a great way for me to enjoy the race community and feel while not actually running. I know my heart was pumping and my adrenaline was soaring when the runners of all ability levels came through our station. Cheering for, encouraging, and chatting with the racers was a fantastic reminder why I love the running community… and a great way for me to give back.
You are inspired!
Just like when running or watching a race… chances are there is someone who makes your jaw drop and you leave inspired. Our local 5K this past weekend had many inspiring racers. There were young kids (13 and under) running (racing fast!), mothers pushing children in joggers (Go Karen and Ruth!), fathers pushing 3 kiddos in a jogger!, and people covering 3.1 miles for the first time ever! Inspiration in one place!
Volunteering is fun!
Volunteering during a race is fun. Of course, fun is what you make of it. While we were passing out waters, we cheered on and encouraged those racing. We handed out high fives, Woots!, words of encouragement, and more.
I think it is safe to say that my oldest son and I had fun volunteering at our first race. In fact, I think he had so much fun and was inspired by those running… that he even asked me when he could run a race with me! This is coming from the child that had no interest in running a few months ago! Yay! I call this a praise! 
I love running and the running community. I equally enjoyed volunteering and giving back to my local running community by helping out at our local race. I look forward to helping out and volunteering at more events in the future.
I would love to volunteer at a race…then again I would wish that I were running in it. I have done 5ks with our daughter, but am now inspired to find one to help with. I have lived in our town of Sonoma, CA for about 36 years and have done much volunteering in the community. The kids are old enough now to also start 🙂 What a fun day you had
Yes! I think your kiddos would really enjoy it! 🙂
I haven’t volunteered but I have been wanting to! It sounds so fun to be on the other side of things and see how they work!
You totally should! It gives you a greater appreciation for the behind the scenes of a race. 🙂
I LOVEEEEE to volunteer in a race… I love to just go cheer on at a race… its great seeing it from that side of it. Just the atmosphere is amazing.
So cool you had your son do it with you. Instill great attitude on volunteering when you can 🙂
Yay! I want to cheer races too (but also want to RUN in them) 🙂 I am very thankful that my son WANTED to come and help as well as he had a great time. 🙂
I’ve been saying I want to do this for awhile. I need to do a little research and REALLY do it! Thanks for posting, I’ll kick myself into gear here and look for volunteer opportunities 🙂
You are welcome. I am sure you could find a race event near you if you asked your local running store 🙂
Wow, that dad with the 3 boys is a champ! That’s crazy!
I’ll be volunteering at my first race on Sunday actually with my running group. I can’t wait!
Yes, there were quite a few moms/dads running/walking while pushing joggers. I had to take a photo of him because I have done that (years ago) with my three boys… AND he had three boys (so ya know… he had a special place in my running family heart) 🙂
I love volunteering for races! The whole atmosphere is fabulous… but then I get jealous that I’m not running with them 🙂
Haha! yes!!! I had that same thought a few times 🙂
Volunteering at races is awesome! A couple years ago, I worked at a Girls on the Run 5k and it was so fun encouraging all the kids!
Oh that would be SO much fun! I would love to volunteer and help out with a program like Girls on the Run… but I have all boys (and would have to figure out what to do with my children) 🙂
I have volunteered at many races and I was the volunteer coordinator for a local race series for 5 years. I can tell you. Volunteers are the heart and soul of community racing. We couldn’t do it without them. I hope all runners will remember this and be sure to thank volunteers for their time when then hand you a cup of water, get you registered, or keep the traffic off your race course.
Yes. I know when I am running in a race, I make sure to let the volunteers know I am thankful by a smile and a word of thanks. 🙂
LOVE volunteering at races. My fav ones to volunteer at are the long Ironman Triathlons that my husband competes in!!!!
Yes! That would be an amazing experience… to help volunteer and also cheer your husband! 🙂
I volunteered last summer during the Tough Mudder and I have to say it was one of the most inspiring and rewarding tasks I’ve ever taken on! It was so much fun to see people challenging themselves and encouraging others to push past what they thought were their limits! It made my race the following day that much more special!!
Oh wow! Volunteering a Tough Mudder must have been SO inspiring to WATCH let alone VOLUNTEER! Super cool!
I HAVENT!
and yet? Im Volunteer McGee in other arenas.
I should.
WIth the child!!
Yes, you rock the Volunteer McGee status 🙂
I think she would LOVE volunteering, especially since she now has first hand racing experience! 🙂
It takes so many volunteers to put on a race! I’ve volunteered before, but it’s been a while. For races that have packet pick-ups, you can volunteer on one day and still race so you don’t always have to choose.
Yes! I was given the option to help with prerace errands/organization as a floater and then run the 5k afterwards… but I really wanted my oldest to take part in the event too. 🙂
great post! I did lots of volunteering at races this year when I was injured. At first I was just annoyed that I couldn’t run the races that I signed up for but then after being there and seeing my friends run through the finish line and be able to hand them their medals was incredible. This past weekend my MRTT group manned a huge water stop at Nike Womens it was amazing. Gives you a whole new perspective!
Yes! What an amazing opportunity! Volunteering at races allows you to be a part of the race… while injured! Giving you the appreciation and RUSH of a race too! 🙂
Oh I like this, I have not even thought about volunteering at a race but this is a great idea!
I have run many races, but it wasn’t until recently that I really had the urge to give back to the running community by volunteering. Mainly because I always wanted to RUN the race I would be volunteering. 🙂 BUT… doing so it gave me huge appreciation for everything that goes into it!
I’d love to volunteer for a race! Great post!
Thanks. 🙂 You should chat up your local running store to see how you can help. 🙂
I agree! I have only volunteered at one race so far but I love the experience.
I’ve only volunteered an official race once, I was supposed to run then the miscarriage happened and I couldn’t do it. I volunteered instead, I will say most runners are super nice, but it definitely opened my eyes to the small sector of rude runners. (The race had no packet pick up day of, save for emergency issues that they were contacted about) but of course a ton of racers wanted to pick up that day, and one girl who wasn’t registered and got there 5 minutes before the race and got snippy with me…
I do think it’s great though, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Yikes. I don’t do well with confrontation like that girl. I guess like in all areas of life… there are gracious and kind people… and cranky self-centered people. Even in running. <3
I struggle with wanting to run the race but feel just as rewarded to volunteer. I need to find time to do it again because it is fun! I’d go as far as to try to help organize one. Anyone have experience with that?
I guess the free race pass would definitely be incentive to run in the next race. It would be a shame to waste it. Besides, you are right that you get inspired by being on the other side and seeing what the runners go through.
This is just the inspiration I needed! I just ran my first marathon yesterday and I was thinking a lot of the time about the volunteers. There were so many and they were all so cheerful! I haven’t ever volunteered for a race event, but I really want to now!
This is a great list! I will be volunteering for my first race in a couple of weeks! It’s a Girls on the Run 5K so it will be super fun anyways, but I’m sure I will learn a whole new appreciation for the volunteers at races. Thanks for sharing this and setting a great example! 🙂
Yay! I am glad you enjoyed my list, Amanda! Volunteering gives you so much appreciation for those who volunteer during YOUR race. 🙂