parkrun thread
5 lurkers |
507 watchers
Dec 2024
12:06pm, 10 Dec 2024
31,373 posts
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fetcheveryone
I like the idea of the fixed-term position. We had that at Bedford when I was ED (and prior to me).
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Dec 2024
12:09pm, 10 Dec 2024
38 posts
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mk parkrun
Sadly true. And some runs need more than others. Back in the mists of time we had 6: RD, timer, tokens x2 and 2 on scanning, one using the new fangled plug-in scanner, the other on the laptop typing in positions and finding runners who didn't bring their barcode. There will be a lot of parkruns that still have that tight community feel, don't require many volunteers, and people always want to help. Others need a lot more. We usually have around 45-50 volunteers a week. Our minimum requirement is about half that, and we do still struggle some weeks, with a third email plea having to go out on Friday morning. But last week the rota was just 1 marshal short by Monday lunchtime! There is not an easy answer, but I would probably chat to my runners and find out why they don't offer to help, just so I can understand how to encourage more to help out. As I'm not able to participate over Christmas I hadn't even thought about the 28th and the impact of three runs on a week. I'll get on that! |
Dec 2024
1:18pm, 10 Dec 2024
2,846 posts
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CK2
We’ve been fortunate in filling a lot of roles for 21, 25 and 28 December - I started asking last month but must put out a reminder.
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Dec 2024
3:58pm, 10 Dec 2024
1,192 posts
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The Mussile
Maybe I am spoilt in that when I set up Somerdale, one of my aims was to need as few volunteers as possible. We can operate perfectly happily on just 6 (Tail, RD, Timer, scanner, 1 Marshal and Finish tokens) but often have around 12 including a fair few non-running regulars. My feeling when I hear of parkruns needing minimums of 20, 30, 50 volunteers is they are just creating more and more work and difficulties for themselves. I also am not hugely keen on people standing around doing very little in terms of adding value as I don't think that encourages people to volunteer again - people like to feel useful not used.
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Dec 2024
4:10pm, 10 Dec 2024
39 posts
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mk parkrun
Wow. Although I guess you can see the entire course from the finish area? That helps a lot. Our minimum would be about a third of the usual number. But we do require at least 7 marshals and two tail just because of the nature of the course. The 50 does include our token sorters (added after the event) and currently we have loads of DoE students who are brilliant and never complain. This does make filling the roster quite easy and having 10 scanners means no chaos with 700+ runners
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Dec 2024
4:14pm, 10 Dec 2024
26,289 posts
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larkim
10 scanners to 700 feels like overkill! Think our event is about 400 average with 3 or 4 scanners. Never understood the issue with marshals being able to see the whole course or not have any blind spots. Ours includes a 2 mile loop where you don't see a marshal other than at the start of that loop and the end. There are multiple opportunities to go wrong, but common sense prevails (keep the lake on the right), and then only 3 marshal stations on the whole course. |
Dec 2024
4:29pm, 10 Dec 2024
139 posts
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Meep Meep
I've had goodness knows how many conversations with EDs down the years about their volunteer numbers. They are always difficult and people get defensive quickly. I do understand that to an extent. What I understand less is why people get so very stressed about sending out volunteer appeals every week. That's just the way it is. It's so incredibly rare to pick up the mantle as RD on Sun/Mon to find you have a full roster. Most weeks you will be asking. |
Dec 2024
4:58pm, 10 Dec 2024
28,299 posts
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Dvorak
So @Meep Meep, where is the Scottish parkrun in question? (I've just volunteered for the 28th at my home run, primarily to stop me running as I have a 10K the next day  Intending to run on Christmas Day. Sometimes I do it the other way round. Awayday on NYD.)
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Dec 2024
5:05pm, 10 Dec 2024
26,290 posts
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larkim
Meep Meep wrote: I've had goodness knows how many conversations with EDs down the years about their volunteer numbers. They are always difficult and people get defensive quickly. I do understand that to an extent. What I understand less is why people get so very stressed about sending out volunteer appeals every week. Chatting to my local ED, they are quite proud of the relatively sparse number of vols they need. They know that if they set up today they would probably be asked to put on a larger number of vols, and possibly marshal a wider area of the course. |
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Dec 2024
5:16pm, 10 Dec 2024
140 posts
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Meep Meep
I am an advocate of minimising volunteers. That's how my partner and I approach things. In my post above I was referring to occasions when I've questioned other EDs about how many marshals they have, and they often become defensive and say things like "marshals are useful just in case! arrow signs can't help if someone collapses!" etc etc. At the first Parkrun friends and I launched, we used zero marshals on a 3 lap course. |
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