March 30, 2025
The Joy and Impact of Volunteering at Ultramarathons — and Why YOU Should Do It
Every finish line crossed, every aid station that saved your race, every perfectly marked trail section - none of it happens without volunteers. But what does volunteering at an ultra actually entail, and why should you consider giving your time?
Richard Gleave dives deep into the rewarding world of ultra running volunteerism, exploring how this often-overlooked aspect of the sport creates not just successful races but stronger communities. Drawing from personal experiences at races from 50-milers to 100+ mile events, Richard shares how volunteering transformed his relationship with ultra running and provided unexpected inspiration during periods of low motivation.
The episode walks through practical aspects of volunteering - from the various roles you might fill to tips for being an exceptional volunteer. Learn how anticipating runners' needs, maintaining a positive attitude, and being flexible can profoundly impact racers' experiences. Richard recounts a powerful moment when a simple act of kindness at an aid station became the turning point in a struggling runner's race day.
Beyond logistics, this conversation explores the deeper rewards of volunteering: the community connections formed, the race insights gained, and the renewed perspective on what makes ultra running special. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner looking to give back or someone curious about the sport without committing to racing distances, volunteering offers a front-row seat to the determination, struggle, and triumph that define ultra running.
Ready to experience ultra running from a different angle? This episode provides everything you need to take that first step into volunteering. Connect with the podcast on social media @choose_to_endure or via email at info@choosetoendure.com to share your own volunteering stories or suggest future topics.
Choose to Endure:
Email:
info@choosetoendure.com
Website:
https://www.choosetoendure.com/
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Chapters
00:53 - Welcome to Choose to Endure
01:35 - Why Volunteer at Ultra Races
04:20 - What to Expect as a Volunteer
07:01 - Tips for Being an Exceptional Volunteer
09:22 - Benefits of Volunteering Experience
11:10 - Key Takeaways and Call to Action
Transcript
WEBVTT
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Hello friends and welcome back If this happens to be your first time with us.
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Thank you so much for stopping by.
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You're listening to Choose to Endure the show dedicated to the non-elite runners out there, where we share stories, interviews, gear and training tips specific to the tail-end heroes of the Ultra universe.
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My name's Richard Gleave.
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I've been running Ultras since 2017, and I have taken on and finished numerous Ultra distances, all the way up through 220 miles, and I am unashamedly a member of the back of the pack, just like many of you are.
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This episode, we're going to shift gears a little bit away from running to something equally as important, and that is volunteering.
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So if you've ever crossed a finish line of an ultra race, if you've ever fueled up at an aid station, or you've ever had to navigate a tricky trail section and follow markers, you'll know just how crucial volunteers are to the success of any ultra race.
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Volunteering at an ultra is a fantastic way to give back to the community, to connect with fellow runners and to experience the energy of a race from a completely different perspective.
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So in this episode, we'll explore why volunteering is such a great choice, what you can expect from the experience and how you can potentially make the most of it.
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I'll also try to share some personal volunteering stories and highlights that show just how rewarding volunteering can be.
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Are you ready to go?
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Let's dive in.
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Discover raw, inspiring stories from runners who've been right where you are.
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This is the Choose to Endure Ultra Running Podcast With your host.
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He's English, not Australian Richard Gleave.
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Okay, let's start with the why.
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Why should you consider volunteering at a race, especially if and when you're not actually running?
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Well, firstly, giving back to the community Ultra running the races.
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They rely on volunteers.
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Without them, aid stations wouldn't run smoothly, people couldn't pick up their packets, trails wouldn't be marked and runners wouldn't be getting the support they need during the race.
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Volunteering is your chance to be a part of the team that makes the magic happen.
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Also, volunteering is a really great way to meet fellow runners.
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You can meet race directors and other really cool members of the ultra running community.
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The friendships and connections you can make I promise you will last long after the race is over.
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The other cool thing about volunteering that I found really helpful, especially early on if you're new to ultras or considering tackling a longer distance or a different style of racing, volunteering is a fantastic way to see how these races work behind the scenes and get inspired by the runners that you meet who are taking them on.
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The first time I volunteered was at an aid station during a 50 mile race, and I distinctly remember watching those runners come through.
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It was pretty cold down at Brazos Bend.
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Seeing the determination, the exhaustion and their gratitude, despite being caked in mud and shivering, was really, really inspiring.
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It reminded me why this sport was so awesome, and it gave me a completely new appreciation for everybody out there who makes these races possible.
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So, now that we've talked about why volunteering is a really awesome choice, let's discuss what you might expect.
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So there's a number of roles that you can generally fill as a volunteer.
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You really could be doing anything, but most of the time it'll be along the lines of checking runners in at the start line, maybe handing out food at an aid station, sweeping the course after the last runner.
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There's a whole bunch of other roles, but each one of them is important, and they all contribute to the race's success.
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It does, though, mean there's potential for long hours, but those come with big rewards.
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Volunteering, especially for shifts that are less popular, often means early mornings, late nights, and sometimes both, but the energy of the runners and the camaraderie of your fellow volunteers, I promise you, is going to make it all worthwhile.
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Races are dynamic.
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Things don't always go according to plan, so teamwork and flexibility are key.
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As a volunteer, too, make sure, if you are volunteering, that you are ready and able and willing, in some instances, to jump in really wherever you're needed, whether that's organizing or reorganizing drop bags, filling water bottles, whatever it might be.
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Just make sure you're there and ready to jump in.
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During one race, I signed up to help with packet pickup, but I ended up spending most of the day at an aid station because they were just short on volunteers.
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They didn't have anyone to cover that shift, so I offered to go out.
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They drove me out to the aid station, and I stood there and watched the last of the runners come through.
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It was pretty uplifting, I have to say.
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It wasn't what I expected to happen that day, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences that I've had.
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Being a volunteer, though, isn't just about showing up.
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It's about contributing to the best of your ability.
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So here are some tips to ensure that you stay a valuable member of the team.
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Firstly, be reliable.
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If you sign up to volunteer, make sure you show up for your shift, show up on time and be ready to work, whatever that work happens to be.
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Race directors and runners really depend on you.
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Secondly, bring that positive attitude that I know you've got.
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Your energy and your enthusiasm really make a big difference, especially for tired runners who need a boost.
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There's nothing worse than a grim volunteer.
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Be lively, be encouraging.
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That's what these runners need to hear.
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Also, if you can try to anticipate runners' needs, if you're at an aid station, pay attention to what runners might need or might look like they need, before they ask for it.
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Usually it's about refilling bottles, so start there but then move on to handing snacks, offering a chair.
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Do they need medical attention?
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How are their feet going?
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Whatever it is, any acts of kindness even telling them they look great lie through your teeth.
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Any acts of small kindness can go a long way.
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And if you're unsure about something as a volunteer, make sure you ask a question.
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Don't hesitate to ask the race director or even other volunteers or your aid station captain.
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Everybody is working towards the same goal.
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Everybody wants to help the runners and wants to help the race go smoothly.
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Everybody wants a successful race, so make sure and feel free to ask questions.
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At one race I noticed a runner struggling with a hydration pack at an aid station, so naturally I offered to help.
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I refilled their pack, made sure they had electrolytes before they left some salt tabs.
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That was really all they needed and later, at the end of the race, they came back to thank me and said that small moment was definitely a push they needed and gave them the energy to get to the finish.
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It was a really small thing and I thought nothing of it, but apparently it mattered to that individual and it was a reminder to me that even the smallest actions can have a big impact on somebody's race.
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It just depends where they are and their mindset.
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So never discount the small actions.
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And finally, let's talk about what you'll gain from volunteering.
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Firstly, inspiration.
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Watching runners push through challenges is incredibly motivating.
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I promise you you'll leave that race inspired to tackle your own goals or a new distance or a new style of ultra race.
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Volunteering also helps you feel a lot more connected to the ultra running world.
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You're going to meet people who share your passion and you're going to build relationships that go well beyond the race.
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It also helps your race perspective.
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Seeing events from the volunteer side is going to give you a new appreciation for what goes into these events, what it is it takes to make them happen.
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It definitely makes you a better runner, it makes you a more considerate runner and it probably makes you a more grateful participant.
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And it probably makes you a more grateful participant.
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Also, there's this concept of the joy of giving back that we all know about, right.
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Knowing you help make someone's race experience possible is really rewarding.
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On a personal level, it's a reminder that the sport is about more than individual achievement.
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It's about supporting each other and getting to the finish line.
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After volunteering at 100 Miler, I felt a deeper connection to the sport than ever before.
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Seeing runners dig deep to reach their goals and knowing that I played a small part in their success was really fulfilling.
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It inspired me to sign up for my next race and gave me a renewed sense of purpose that I'd been missing and trying to find from a motivation standpoint through training throughout the whole of last summer.
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So to recap, here are some key takeaways about volunteering.
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Number one volunteering super powerful way to give back, really great way to connect with others and super way to learn more about the sport.
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Number two if you volunteer and I think you should expect to fill a variety of roles, work long hours and adapt to the needs of the race, but, as you're doing so, know that the efforts that you put in are going to make a massive difference.
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Number three be a great volunteer by showing up, staying positive, anticipate runners' needs and be flexible.
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The rewards of volunteering, including inspiration, community perspective and the you, or find an event that you've always been interested in and sign up for a volunteer shift or two.
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I promise you, racers are always looking for extra help and volunteers are such a key part a crucial part of creating an amazing race experience.
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A crucial part of creating an amazing race experience your time and your energy will make a real difference for runners and the entire race community.
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Brilliant, if these takeaways resonate with you and you are ready to take the next steps in your volunteer journey, keep that conversation going.
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If you're out there browsing the internet, don't forget to subscribe to this show too.
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That way, you'll get notified each time a new episode drops.
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And if you're enjoying what you hear, make sure you follow, share and leave a review.
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That really would mean the world to me.
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Your support helps grow.
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The podcast connects more runners to this amazing ultra community that we have and spreads the word to those who could benefit from information we share here, just like this chat on volunteering.
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You can find us on Instagram and Facebook at Choose to Endure, or visit us anytime at choosetoendurecom.
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I love to hear from you, whether it's to say hello, suggest a topic or share your story so that we can talk about it on air here and maybe even have you on as a guest.
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You can email me directly at info at choosetoeenjoycom.
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Interacting with listeners, just like you, is one of my favorite parts of doing this show, so please don't be shy about reaching out Until next time.
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Run long, run strong, go find a race to volunteer at and keep choosing to endure.
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