Marshal for a day

I had my eye on a local running event, The Mast Race 10k by Hillrunner UK, but I did a recce before I committed. In the first mile of the run I knew that I wouldn't take part, it was just up hill, and not being a very good runner, especially with hills my confidence in my ability to run this was at a low, and so I decided to marshal!

Marshalling is something that all runners should try to do at some point. They're usually unpaid volunteers stood out in whatever the weather to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the runners. Where would we be without the marshal stood in the country lane pointing left or right, or without the manned water stations?

Unfortunately I work weekends and don't drive so it's not an easy option for me. I rarely run parkrun, so I don't marshal it either, and if there's a running event I usually have to travel for it, so I take part in it. This event was local, and someone I knew was running it, so I asked for a lift there and offered my services as a marshal.

On arrival I found Phil who decided that as I didn't know the area (at all) or have any transport that my job for the morning would be something else, somewhere else. I was now going to man a water station up the hill. Unfortunately the car I was to travel in had already left... Phil decided that I should stay at the finish and remove chip timers.

I milled around with everyone else, pointing the way to the loos etc.and being cheerful, talking to the other marshals.

As the start commenced I moved to a higher point and watched the runners set off. It was actually an enjoyable experience not being part of the crowd and watching the excitement and anticipation of the collected runners.

After the back of the pack disappeared up the road I set up my buckets and chairs then I went and ordered my free sausage butty courtesy of Butty Lee-cious A marshal perk! It was very nice.

There were two other women at the finish, they would give out the medals. We chatted a little.

We guessed the arrival of the first runners back to be about 40 min [gnarly mountain goats] and assembled ourselves ready

It was a great experience to see the first runner coming back down the hill and crossing the finish line. Chris Farrell in 36:17! We clapped with enthusiasm. I removed his chip and congratulated him.
Not long after in came second and third place. 

1st 2nd and 3rd place runners

Soon the runners started to come in closer together and it got busy! My friend came in in a very good time :) I took her chip and chatted then I was again busy.

It was a lovely experience :) I offered to remove the chips from the ankles of runners who couldn't bend down / reach [been there] and asked about the run. I saw runners of all shapes and sizes, some had fallen, one was quite bloodied! I watched photos being taken and friends encouraging friends to cross the finish line.

I chatted to a woman called Brenda, V70 for Burnden Road Runners. She gave me advice on running the hills. "You don't run, you power walk, jog a bit, walk ..." Amazing achievement. Inspirational.

Will I marshal again? Yes :) but ... next year I'm running this thanks to being inspired by Brenda.
Yes it's tough, yes I'm slow, yes I'll be at the back throughout ... but that's the challenge too, overcoming those fears, and it's OK to walk.

PICTURES: 300 runners take part in gruelling 10k hill race
The Bolton News