Celebrating the real heroes of parkrun... the volunteers!

Every parkrun only happens because of the time and dedication of our volunteers. Many thanks to all of them, past and present. We are always looking for new volunteers. This page explains how to get involved.

How to get involved

Volunteering at Whitstable parkrun really couldn't be easier: Simply review the future roster and then email the event team at Whitstablehelpers@parkrun.com, telling us when you're able to help and - if you have a preference - which role you'd like to do. The volunteer co-ordinator will send out a reminder email a few days before the event with all the details you need. We'll also send out a periodic reminder email to previous volunteers.

What would I do at the Event?

First, and most importantly, we never ask anybody to do anything they're not comfortable with. If you don't want a particular task, please let us know and we will happily give you an alternative job. Nevertheless, none of our tasks are too stressful. You could be organising the finish funnel, operating the timer, or scanning the runners barcodes with our simple barcode readers; we try to start people out on a general marshalling type job to start with, so they get a feel for how we operate. But if you really want to do something in particular, please let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Do I get my name in lights?

We like to recognise and publicly thank all our volunteers, and your name will appear on our home page in the This Week's Heroes section. We also keep a log of what tasks everybody has done. To do this you need to be registered on our system. Most volunteers have previously run at one of our events, and so will already be on our system. If you have not registered, it's really easy to do so: just go to the parkrun registration page and fill in the simple form.

Points, glorious points

And there's more,.. We don't want our regular runners to be penalised in the yearly points competition just because they volunteered, so every runner gets full points for volunteering on up to three occasions per year.

Join us

email Whitstablehelpers@parkrun.com today.

Our volunteers really are the stars of parkrun. Next time you see them, tell them how wonderful they are.

Many thanks to this week's heroes

Future roster

You can see how the next event's volunteer list on the new future roster page. Then just send an email to Whitstablehelpers@parkrun.com.

The core team

Whitstable parkrun only happens because of our fantastic volunteers, who are almost all regular runners like you. The weekly team of volunteers are led by a small group of parkrun enthusiasts who form what we call the 'core team': They make sure the event is setup and packed away each week, the results published, the tokens resorted, event reports written and so much more.

• Tina Jones - I started running in 1998 as I wanted to run a marathon for charity which I did in 1999, I was lucky enough to run the London marathon. I have been hooked on running ever since! I have been a member of Canterbury Harriers since I moved back to Whitstable four years ago having grown up in the town. I have recently done a course to become a Leader in Running Fitness. I am delighted to be involved in the setting up of the parkrun in Whitstable and I am sure it will become a very popular event in the town.
• Peter Yarlett - Running has been part of my life since starting at school and still continuing well into my late 50's. Although PB's are now a thing of the past I still get excited at the challenge and pleasure of training and the odd race. The Whitstable course is beside the sea and so the different seasons will provide plenty of variety and interest for those taking part. These days I get equal pleasure from encouraging others new to running and the parkrun offers plenty of scope for offering advice and seeing others improve their health and fitness.
• Mel Powis - I started trail running in my mid-twenties, as being an open-water swimmer it meant that I could keep my fitness levels up during the coldest months of the year. After a break of 5-odd years I returned to running by doing the first Whitstable parkrun. My poor leggies had quite forgotten what running was all about and were rather stiff the following day, yet I returned time and time again. I love the social aspect of parkrun, and am pleased to be part of such positive, encouraging and friendly volunteer team. Needless to say, a dip in the sea beforehand is always a bonus too.
• Dan Mulvihill - I’m not a runner, I’m a sitting-downer. Years ago I used to support Mel and her friends at races by sitting in the pub and getting the drinks in. So seriously did I take this job, that I often missed them as they crossed the finish line. Unfortunately not many pubs are open at 9a.m. on a Saturday morning, so I make do with the jolly banter, a lolly-pop, and a cup of coffee in the café afterwards.
• Fraser James - I have carefully avoided running ever since school and actually became involved with parkrun to support my daughter, Chloe, who does run. I admire the folk who do, especially the slower ones who show such determination and always finish. I'm an IT consultant/manager normally, so I expect standing around on Tankerton slopes for half an hour every week does me some good. The clapping can get quite strenuous.
• Ange Wilkins - My husband (pyjama man) John)) and I were introduced to parkrun by our son Nathan in September last year. Since that first adventure, when I accompanied John, I have been a regular volunteer. I am now the registration expert but do other tasks as required. Our daughter Hannah sometimes helps out and Nathan runs when they are home from University. We enjoy the community of footfall that marshall, run and get round the five kilometre course expects. Everyone taking part as a runner or a marshal helps parkrun to offer the local community a chance to exercise and aim to achieve their personal goals. After the run we always have an opportunity to chat with runners and volunteers in The Lounge over a coffee. We are all very glad to have discovered parkrun and hope that you will come and join us to gain the benefits and enjoy the fun.
• Brian Forbes-Turner - I have never run (well hardly ever) but I get a real buzz from being around those who do. It’s their energy, good humour and zest for life that I find so infectious. So becoming involved in the start up of Whitstable parkrun with my partner Tina Jones continues to be great fun. I had always worked in retail on Saturdays and now being retired I relish the prompt for being down on Tankerton Slopes at 8.30. Setting out the finish area with other cheery volunteers or greeting regular and new runners is a grand start to a day, whatever the weather! Best of all is sensing the achievement all around from those involved plus their supporters, families, friends, even dogs ? it is such a brilliant concept. Long may it run.
• Marilyn Yarlett - There is nothing better than an early Saturday morning start to the day knowing that I am meeting my local parkrun group. It is a normal part of the week to help support the run organisation and then afterwards relax with a coffee and chat about the run and life generally. Long may parkrun continue.

We're very grateful to the help provided by everybody, both now and in the past, who've helped make Whitstable parkrun happen.

Please get in touch if you'd like to get involved.