By Trena Chellino

After being an ultra and trail runner for only a couple of years, I made a very conscious decision to volunteer and give back to the sport.  I knew early on that the community had given so much to me that I had a strong desire to give back and be a part of it from the other side.

So, what exactly would that look like for me?  I ran a lot of races, probably too many as so many starting in the sport do and often soon burn out.  I came up with a plan and decided that for every race I ran, I would volunteer for another one.  Being a volunteer or giving of our time can mean so many things and for me, I find a great joy in it.  So, let’s take a closer look at the ways to volunteer and give back. As a runner I see it as a natural part of our sport; it really shouldn’t be an option.  In fact, I’d say unless you volunteer you aren’t really an ultra runner.

Crewing – Not everyone likes or wants to use crew in races.  I have a huge respect for those who can just show up and throw down a few drop bags and run solo.  There are some races who even reward the solo runner.  For me running is a community.  I love to run with people, chat with others on the trails, make new friends and share the experience.  I’ve run races solo, but much prefer looking forward to a little help and a smiling face on a friend when I get to an aid station.  I know there are also lots of people who simply “have” to have crew to help them manage their race.  That might look like helping them get everything they need at the aid station, encouraging them, doctor their feet and so much more depending on the level of need the runner has.  If I hear of a runner who is looking of some crew help and my schedule is free, I don’t hesitate to help them.  Sometimes I don’t even know them personally.  I’m a positive person who loves to help someone else reach their goals.  It’s all part of the community I love.  My favorite stories are from other people’s races, not my own.  I’ve honestly learned more by helping others.

Pacing – Similar to crewing, not everyone likes to use pacers.  You can get one in a variety of ways, from asking your own group of friends to help you, ask randomly on Facebook or other groups for someone to step in and help, and sometimes races will connect runners with pacers.  All are good options and I’ve done all of them.  I’ve made some of the best friends and been so rewarded in seeing a person through to their finish.  I find it really important to talk up front about expectations, what the runner wants from a pacer and do my best to fulfill that role.  It’s their race after all.  My job is to keep them moving and motivated, make sure they are eating and drinking as they should be and trying to keep them on their goal pace.  Again, if I hear of someone in need of a pacer and I can jump in to help, I always do.  It’s a reward in itself and an experience you won’t likely forget.

Race Volunteer – This is the real bones of ultra running.  As a race director, I know how many people it takes to put on a race and that we can’t do it without volunteers to help.  Volunteering at races could be anything from helping with packet pickup, working an aid station, captaining an aid station, picking up dropped runners, sweeping the course, to a whole variety of jobs and tasks.  The more help the race director has, the smoother the race can go and the better experience for all.  We often as runners take for granted just how much work goes on behind the scenes.  We pay our money and expect things to flow flawlessly but the truth is, there are always many more things happening in the background that the runner doesn’t know about.  Volunteering at races is usually done in shifts or specific time frames which does make it sometimes easier to offer your time than to pace or crew which can be a moving target and last the entire duration of the race.  There is nothing better at a race than a cheerful volunteer.  One good volunteer can change a race for a runner and being able to be part of that is priceless. 

Trail Maintenance Work – I absolutely love it when 100-mile races require a certain number of hours of trail work to run them.  Honestly, I wish all 100-mile races required this. Not just volunteer hours at races but honest hard work on the trails.  I have found as a runner there is no greater appreciation for what all is involved in creating and maintaining good trails than to be part of doing trail work.  Ultimately, I would love to be able to take a class to be certified in trail maintenance.  There is so much more to it than just picking up sticks or trash or getting a fallen tree off the trail.  It requires time, getting your hands dirty and often some hard work.  I find trail maintenance to be volunteer work you don’t want to miss because you really would be the one missing out.

So there you go, just a few of the ways I like to intentionally volunteer.  It’s very purposeful and I’m always looking for either runners or race directors who need help.  It really turns out to be the greatest gift I give myself because I find the reward in helping far greater.  Consider joining me in my commitment to volunteer as often as I race.