Hi ,
It looks like you're using an ad blocker.



The revenue generated from the adverts on the site is a critical part of our funding - and it's because of these ads that I can offer the site for free. But using the site for free AND blocking the ads doesn't feel like a great thing to do, which is why this box is so large and inconvenient. Some sites will completely block your access, but I'm not doing that - I'm appealing to your good nature instead. Did you know that you can allow ads for specific sites, whilst still blocking them on others?

Thanks,
Ian Williams aka Fetch
or for an ad-free Fetcheveryone experience!

parkrun thread

1 lurker | 512 watchers
Sep 2024
10:24am, 19 Sep 2024
7,115 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Mr J
I do feel guilty about my volunteer ratio.
I volunteer at junior parkrun sometimes to help ease my guilt.
Frustrating is that many parents who watch their child run could not do some volunteering especially if they attend regularly and the child knows the event very well.
Sep 2024
10:40am, 19 Sep 2024
1,171 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
The Mussile
As an ED, If I ever need to cancel through lack of volunteers I will do it on the startline at 9am.

That would make the point in a spectacularly loud and petty way :)
Sep 2024
10:46am, 19 Sep 2024
113 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Meep Meep
It's weird how the culture can vary at juniors. At my two nearest juniors one is constantly busting at the seams with volunteers because so many parents sign up since they are there anyway. However, at the other they constantly struggle because the parents at that event appear to want to leave as soon as their own kids are done. That latter event basically survives due to a committed core team, many of whom have been there so long that their own kids are too old to even run there anymore.
Sep 2024
10:51am, 19 Sep 2024
69,830 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
LindsD
I don't think anyone wants to make anyone feel guilty. I definitely don't; equally I don't want the stress of pleading and begging for volunteers and worrying whether an event is safe. And I don't want the time-suck of constantly checking emails etc. up until Friday night. When I did cancel for lack of volunteers one of the reasons was because it was my son's 21st and I knew I didn't have time to sort out a results mess on the Sat after parkrun. I'm sure some people will criticise me for this/suggest I shouldn't have volunteered that day but I'm happy with my decisions.
Sep 2024
11:07am, 19 Sep 2024
35,017 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Old Croc
I had to step in at last minute to cover RD once, in brief I said results would be late as I was scouting straight off to do holiday shopping (flying on the Tuesday) - I made a joke that my holiday shopping would consist of a new hawaiian shirt and a pair of budgie smugglers. Someone complained on FB group about it. Cannot even make a wee joke without someone worrying about a delay in their results.

I agree with LindsD about the stress up until Friday night. That why we go early on decision. I don't want to spend the start of my weekend taken up chasing volunteers.
Sep 2024
11:08am, 19 Sep 2024
3,357 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
RunningRonnie
The Mussile wrote:As an ED, If I ever need to cancel through lack of volunteers I will do it on the startline at 9am. That would make the point in a spectacularly loud and petty way


Then watch a bunch of hands go up immediately.
Sep 2024
11:12am, 19 Sep 2024
35,018 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
Old Croc
I like the thinking by @The Mussile

I know of one RD ( also ambassador) who would put it around start area that start was delayed until they got a timer (or other role)
Sep 2024
11:47am, 19 Sep 2024
69,831 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
LindsD
I have appealed for a tail walker at the briefing. It works.
Sep 2024
11:57am, 19 Sep 2024
1,172 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
The Mussile
To be clear, I wouldn't appeal on the start line, I'd cancel on the spot and go home
Sep 2024
12:35pm, 19 Sep 2024
3,013 posts
  • Quote
  • Pin
AndyS
As someone who's pretty happy with their run/volunteer ratio (R390/V200), I'm very much in the "don't try to shame people into volunteering" camp.
We often have no idea what else it's going on in people's lives - there are lots of reasons for people not to volunteer at parkrun.
Maybe that hour on Saturday morning is the only time they have for themselves all week.
Maybe they volunteer elsewhere during the week.
Maybe they live with social anxiety that makes volunteering difficult.

It's called "volunteering" because it's voluntary.

About This Thread

Maintained by Hendo
A discussion of all things parkrun.

Note: Hendo is a boy.
  • Show full description...

Useful Links

FE accepts no responsibility for external links. Or anything, really.

Related Threads

  • 5k
  • parkrun

Report This Content

You can report any content you believe to be unsafe. Please let me know why you believe this content is unsafe by choosing a category below.



Thank you for your report. The content will be assessed as soon as possible.










Back To Top

Tag A User

To tag a user, start typing their name here:
X

Free training & racing tools for runners, cyclists, swimmers & walkers.

Fetcheveryone lets you analyse your training, find races, plot routes, chat in our forum, get advice, play games - and more! Nothing is behind a paywall, and it'll stay that way thanks to our awesome community!
Get Started
Click here to join 114,544 Fetchies!
Already a Fetchie? Sign in here