The Other Side of the Start Line: Race Weekend Does Not Happen Without Volunteers
If you’re reading this, there’s a significant chance you are one of the millions of Canadians who signed up to run a race this year. Congratulations! Soon you will experience all the feels that come with finishing your first 5 km, finally achieving a hard-earned marathon PB, or earning that long-awaited BQ.
The rush and relief. The “I can’t believe I just did that” moment. And of course, the tears, high-fives, and hugs.
Here’s the thing you really need to understand: none of it happens without volunteers.
The behind-the-scenes crew setting up while you’re still sleeping. The person who wished you luck at package pick-up. The person who handed you water when you didn’t realize how thirsty you were. The one ringing a cowbell like it was their full-time job. The course marshal who made sure you didn’t accidentally take a scenic detour. The finish line crew who treated you like an Olympian, no matter your pace.
They showed up for you. And at some point, especially if you’re new to running, it’s worth asking: how do I show up for them?
Why New Runners Should Try Volunteering
If you’re new to running, volunteering might not even be on your radar yet. You’re still figuring out gear, pacing, and maybe even just how to pin on a bib.
But volunteering is one of the fastest ways to feel like you belong in this community. It shifts your perspective. You go from participant to contributor. From “I hope this goes well for me” to “I’m part of making this great for everyone.” And in many ways, it deepens your own running experience.
At Run Calgary, Marcus Mueller, the new Volunteer Coordinator, who spoiler alert, started out as a volunteer himself, will mobilize 3,000 volunteers this calendar year for premier races including the Servus Calgary Marathon.
Marcus is focused on understanding “the why” and using data to improve the volunteer experience and retention.
“We are focused on the creation of place and experience for participants, and understanding the role our volunteers play in building that belonging. If we want our participants to feel welcomed and lifted, it’s our responsibility to lift our volunteers. They’re already giving their time, it’s on us to give them the chance to be exceptional,” says Mueller.
What Makes a Great Race Volunteer?
Volunteers who arrive on time, take the commitment seriously, and come prepared make a huge impact. So do volunteers who can roll with the punches, bring good energy, and support participants with enthusiasm and care.
Those qualities do more than keep race day moving. They shape the entire participant experience and strengthen the community around the event.
“We’re lucky as a running organization to cultivate really driven volunteers simply due to the personalities this sport attracts,” explains Mueller.
A Culture of Listening, Learning, and Showing Up
Run Calgary is proud of its phenomenal volunteer culture, which was meaningfully shaped when Jill Petkau joined the organization as its first-ever full-time volunteer manager coming out of the pandemic. Jill, who is now Run Calgary’s Operations Manager, helped create a culture of listening, learning, and leaning into people’s strengths.
It is something Marcus is carrying forward.
“We conduct a questionnaire through our volunteer registration portal that helps us better understand our demographics and motivations of our volunteers.”
More Than a Shift: Finding Community
For many volunteers, the motivation is in-person connection, building relationships, and finding community.
In the summer of 2026, Run Calgary will host its first-ever Volunteer Day: Picnic in the Park. It will be a chance to gather the good old-fashioned way, with no phones, over a game of cornhole and smokies, giving the Run Calgary team an opportunity outside of race day to thank volunteers and get to know them better.
From Runner to Volunteer and Back Again
Once you volunteer for a race, your likelihood of doing it again is high, but recruiting people for the first time can be tricky.
Many trail races, particularly ultramarathons, require participants to volunteer as part of their entry requirements. This practice, often referred to as the Run-Work-Run model, is increasingly common to ensure safety, maintain trail conditions, and foster a sense of community ownership.
Whether you come from road racing, community fun runs, or an ultra trail background, these events are propped up by volunteers. So as the motto goes: if you see a volunteer, thank a volunteer.
What to Expect When You Volunteer
Volunteering at a race does not mean giving up your entire weekend or being thrown into chaos with no direction. In fact, the opposite is true.
Run Calgary’s staff are incredibly thoughtful about how volunteers are supported. You can expect clear roles and instructions, training or guides so you feel prepared, a team environment where you’re rarely doing anything alone, and gratitude. A lot of it.
Often, there are perks too: swag, prizing, discounts, and more. But the real return is the feeling of being part of something meaningful.
It Takes a Village
“Volunteering at races is one of the best ways I’ve seen to restore your faith in humanity,” says Mueller.
To be part of a race in any capacity is to support the human experience of pursuing a goal. It takes a village, and if you show up for that village, it will show up for you.
The clock is ticking, and planning for the spring season is well underway. So what keeps race organizers up leading into the big event?
“A recurring nightmare that starts about three weeks before any event that I have overslept and missed the entire show,” laughs Mueller, who owns, and arms, multiple alarm clocks on race days.
Your Invitation to the Other Side of the Start Line
So if you’re reading this as a newer runner, consider this your invitation to sign up to volunteer and see the other side of the start line.
As you are likely discovering, running is not just about bagging miles and medals. It is about showing up for each other. We are a community built on reciprocity.
Hope to see you at a start line and volunteer briefing soon!
Volunteer with Run Calgary!
Volunteering: it’s more than just giving your time; it’s about investing in your community, building connections, and discovering hidden talents.
Ready to make a difference? Don’t wait!
Volunteer roles are filling up quickly, and we don’t want you to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of something special. Register now to secure your spot and join our team of dedicated volunteers!
