There are a range of tasks available that all need to be covered in order for the race to run smoothly, and the main message is that it's first come, first served as far as the allocation of tasks is concerned. So if you have a specific role in mind, get your shout out to Terry in pronto!!
The job of a marshall is an important one and your help is vital to making sure that the runners have a worry free run (save for the sand, pebbles the size of cats, mud, gorse, hills, more hills etc).
Last year was a huge success for the club financially and for the runners on the day, and having a clearly marked course and well marshalled on the day will be essential to having another successful event this year. The Exmouth Cadets did a great job for us last year, but it is up to our club to ensure that the key points on the route are clearly defined and there is NO chance of anyone being sent the wrong way.
It is also very important that the road crossings are marshalled by both cadets and our own club members as we need to take responsibility for ensuring that these crossings are safe both for the runners but also the cadets. It is a delicate matter, on occasions, getting cars to stop and or slow down so having sufficient numbers on the crossings helps to achieve this.
So how does it all work?
1) You contact me to confirm that you will be available on the day and for the duration of the event. You will need to allow for getting to your marshall point, for the duration of the event, and for getting back again (if you are on one of the out of the way sections of the route). So, allow for 3 – 4 hours of your time.
2) If you agree to do this I ask that you do it. It is always difficult to make last minute changes over the course on the day given its length and character. So, if you know that you are no longer available on the day prior to the day please let me know immediately. We are all volunteers and I understand that ‘things happen’, but just let me know so that I can try and make alternative arrangements.
3) I will allocate a place on the course for you to take responsibility for. If you know the course then that will be a quick conversation and I will know that you can find your spot. If you do not know the course, then we can meet to discuss, or we can do a Bicton run on a Sunday, which is a usual occurrence in late October and early November to go round the course and I can actually show you where you will be.
4) I will give you a large reflective bib with marshall on it. Whoopee! My intention is that I will do this before the day (see 2 above) and will expect you to be at the marshall point on or before 10.45 am on the day. I ask that you text me to confirm that you are in position (no sniggers there) to avoid having hundreds of phone calls to my mobile all at the same time. I will take your mobile number prior to so that I know who is texting me! This way I hope to avoid everyone going to the start area and then back out again.
5) You will then direct the runners and or report back to me if there are problems eg runners in difficulties, etc.
6) You can go home when the ‘sweeper’ arrives. For those who do not know, the race will have one or two ‘sweeper runners’ who follow the last runner (that’s how you know they are the last runner!) so the race is officially over. Once they have gone through then either go home or come down to the finish area to see the prize giving and have a cup of tea.
We all know how much of a boost a cheer and a clap from a marshall can give you when you are struggling in a tough race, so smiley, cheery marshalls with loud booming voices make ideal candidates for this post. Is this you? File your CV and application form to Terry today, and you could spend a glorious morning on the delightful Woodbury Common admiring these views....
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