07 May How volunteering is the lifeblood of any race
One of the things I am blessed with when it comes to organising The Amazing Northampton Run is the fantastic band of volunteers we have.
Our runners need every bit of encouragement, whether they are tackling the full 13.1-mile half-marathon, our relay race or even the three-mile fun run.
Central to that are the brilliant pacers and marshalls who volunteer their time to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Many of our loyal band of pacers have been running with us for years at various events including our Northampton Half-Marathon, which preceded the current race.
I know from speaking to them every year how much satisfaction they get from guiding people to their desired times, whether that be a new personal best, a sub-two hour half or making it round the course for the first time.
I’m so grateful to all our pacers, who enable runners at all levels to reach their targets and run a fun, enjoyable race.
Of course, anyone who has taken part in races will know the importance of having marshalls in place to point you in the right direction and cheer you on.
As well as the brilliant volunteers who do this role, The Amazing Northampton Run is blessed to have a variety of bands in place to give our runners a boost throughout the course.
And our town is lucky to have enthusiastic residents, who stand on every corner shouting encouragement, handing out tasty treats and wielding welcoming signs.
One of our biggest course cheerleaders is our race compere, Michelle Lewis (pictured above), from fitness and running group Step Forward With Lewis, who will be joining us for the third year in a row. Michelle will be greeting runners in her own unique style as they cross the line.
The support we get from people in the town also extends to local businesses and business people. From coffee houses and hotels to bars and hairdressers, a host of different organisatons have taken their time to back the event and help us to boost not only running in Northampton, but the town centre as a whole.
I could go on forever talking about the incredible volunteering team that help make the day so special.
But I’ve got a flagship half-marathon to organise!
We’d love to see you running on the day, but if you can’t for whatever reason why not consider becoming part of our volunteering team?
Email me at admin@gobeyondchallenge.co.uk and let’s work together to make this year’s run even more amazing than ever.