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Apr 2019
11:16am, 24 Apr 2019
7,252 posts
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larkim
I'd disagree that suggesting people volunteer is not the "done thing". I'd have thought that the "run, walk or volunteer" motto really embeds volunteering into the parkrun thought process. Every run briefing our RD asks for more volunteers to sign up, and the biggest cheer each week is the support for volunteers.
I know there are different views about promoting a "volunteer-to-run ratio" ideal/mandate, and can see both sides of it. But most people who are regulars do at least understand that if they don't volunteer, they can't complain if an event can't happen due to their apathy (and I count myself in that bucket as I don't volunteer anywhere near enough if I am honest with myself).
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Apr 2019
11:49am, 24 Apr 2019
356 posts
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BexleyKev
Jovi - Cannot imagine what 600 must have been like on the route at FAbbey. I have to say that I cringe a little when people post how great it is that events have broken their attendance record, some with good infrastructure may be able to cope but many must be starting to feel the pressure on car parking, narrow paths and goodwill of other park users. I am lucky to be surrounded by several events, numbers do not diminish here when new events start, unless they have a dirty great big hill to go up, nor are the location names that significant for 'challenge chasers' yet attendances far exceed what would be normally acceptable at an organised event. Whilst some say that it is great to be encouraging so many to take part ( as that is the true spirit of parkrun nowadays) secretly many of my friends ( some are ED/RD ) mention how dangerous the crowding was, conflicts between participants and issues with other park users. Several years ago PSH once mentioned that he failed understand why around 100 people would really want to run at one of local events - I am sure his opinion on this has changed over the years - that event now gets around 800 participants and on the face of it could be seen as a success but behind the numbers and admiral work the core team do to control the event every Saturday they have car parking issues and unless you are at the front it wont feel like you are running for the first 500 metres. Not sure that the bubble will burst just yet but there must be many events close to saturation ( in terms of numbers that the park / venue can safely accommodate ).
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Apr 2019
11:50am, 24 Apr 2019
12,568 posts
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Ultracat
I liked Aberdeen Parkrun when numbers were much smaller all those years ago, you got to know the regulars. Still like it but with many more folk you often miss seeing those you have got to know. When Hazlehead started up they did take some regulars and numbers evened off, both events get 200-300 most weeks and on a good day beach Parkrun gets nearer 400. In the first year it was 80-100 most weeks.
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Apr 2019
12:00pm, 24 Apr 2019
1,390 posts
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BrianJ
It could get 'interesting' at Fountains Abbey at the bridge over the ornamental lake with a very large field
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Apr 2019
12:05pm, 24 Apr 2019
357 posts
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BexleyKev
Wow just looked at FAbbey results - 155 first time visitors! That's like three coachloads turning up at once! ( Except that most were probably not that ecological footprint neutral ).
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Apr 2019
12:13pm, 24 Apr 2019
14,421 posts
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Bazoaxe
I have volunteered 4 times this year and I am currently aiming to get my volunteer to run ratio to 1:10. I had hoped to get there before my 100th parkrun, but failed. I am currently at a 1:12 ratio and should get to 1:10 by my 110th.
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Apr 2019
12:16pm, 24 Apr 2019
27,398 posts
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LindsD
I've said this before, but we struggle to get our 30 volunteers from a regular turnout of 400+ runners, with the same core people giving up their run every week. It makes me sad.
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Apr 2019
12:25pm, 24 Apr 2019
4,881 posts
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TeeBee
Well done Bazoaxe!
My ratio (excluding pacing) is 1:3.5 (!) - I had no idea. With pacing, it's 1:2.8 
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Apr 2019
12:39pm, 24 Apr 2019
3,128 posts
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Fizz :-)
The "three times a year" was a figure just plucked out of the air, apparently, but I think that it's a fair thing to ask of people. Or one in ten runs.
Both of which I'm not quite achieving, but almost there.
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Apr 2019
12:42pm, 24 Apr 2019
20,195 posts
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Meglet
Mine hasn’t been consistent but I have over 25 volunteer credits and over 75 runs.
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