The Round Sheffield Run - a Marshal's Perspect... - Couch to 5K

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The Round Sheffield Run - a Marshal's Perspective....

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate
29 Replies

Good afternoon to one and all. :-)

As some of you may know, I marshalled a race earlier today and thought I'd share my experience with you. It was the Round Sheffield Run... roundsheffieldrun.com/ and was different to most other races because instead of the clock starting at the start line and finishing when you cross the finish line, there were eleven stages, with walking/recovery breaks in between and you're timed during the actual stages and not the walking/recovery/liaison stages. As you enter a stage, you insert your dibber (like a timing wand, if you will) into the timing post (manning one of these was my duty for the day) which starts the clock for that stage and then you do the same at the end of the stage to register that you've exited it, then you use the breaks in between to recover. The route follows the 14 mile trail/park/woodland Sheffield Round Walk, so the race was about HM length.

It was a bit too much for me to run at the minute, but still wanting to be involved, I decided to volunteer when I got the e-mail from the organisers requesting volunteers for marshalling duty. (I'm running a 10K with them in October, hence my receiving the e-mail about volunteering today) After a telephone conversation with the Race Director on Thursday night, I learned I was to be supervising the timing post at the start of Stage Eight. Being in charge of timing was a bit of a worry at first, as it's not really something you want to cock-up, is it? But it was all straight-forward and went well.

I was quite excited this morning, when I awoke at 0513. It was raining as well; I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing! After breakfast of smoked salmon, poached eggs, a mini salad and some tiger bread, followed by two chocolate Weetabix (not all on the same plate) it was time to go.

A nice steady two-mile or so walk up to Endcliffe Park (there is a Parkrun there but I've not ran that one yet; that's the one with 14 billion participants running it each week, or there abouts. ;-) ) for the 0715 rendezvous and briefing, to collect the gear for the job in hand. It was quite the hive of activity when I turned up, with final preparations being made by the organisers. Around we gather to be put into our teams. Annoyingly, a couple of the people down to volunteer/marshal, didn't turn up, which caused a few issues. There might have been genuine reasons for the absences, but it still causes problems. After the briefing I was put into my team, with two ladies, both runners too, and it was into the car of one of them (kindly acting as driver for the day) to follow the organiser's van up to Foodstation One, to help set that up and unload. In a nice rural car park, out came two tables, pack after pack of bottled water and boxes of Jelly Babies. om nom nom. And boxes of bananas, which I can't really be involved with, as vomiting will ensue.....

Onward to our post now. Down a residential street, toward the trail at the end. I was based a few metres away from Foodstation Two, which duly I help set up. So very many Jelly Babies. That done, it's onward to my post now. Into the ground I inserted (with some difficulty finding soft ground!) the spiked post with the timing point on it, and cable-tied up the Stage 8 Start sign. inserting another spiked post to drape a bin liner round, to collect used drinks bottles. Then I text the designated phone at Command Control to say we're in place.

That done, I plodded on up to chat around the foodstation table until the first runners come through. A medic had turned up by this point and was chatting with us. The first runners crossed the start line at 0830 and the last ones at 1030, I think it was. It was about 1020 when the first Running Friend appeared from up the road. Time for me to grab my rucksack and scurry on down to my post. He appeared shortly after, inserted his timing wand into my machine (!) and was on his way down Nettle Path, which I thusly named as it was a bit overgrown with stinging nettles. I had shorts on and was stung as I pinned the sign up; I'm still stinging now, just for reference. When the first runner goes by, I text Command Control again to inform them that the first runner has passed my stage.

More Running Friends appear and from then on in it was a constant flurry of 'good mornings' and my enquiring about how they got on with the previous stages, and answering questions about my stage and what was coming next. I was stationed out on my own, but it was all very sociable with all the runners. All were chatty and a good laugh and as they weren't being timed until they used their dibbers in the machine, quite a few chatted with me for a bit, which was really nice.

More runners, a huge group; one runs past without dibbing - that's part of my job, to make sure he dibs, so I call him back, get him dibbed and he's off again. The queue builds now, so I try and get everyone through swiftly and without delay. It's a struggle to greet and chat with everyone as they come through, there's so many people, but after a while it goes quiet again as small groups and individuals head down from the foodstation. I use the opportunity to drink some water and quickly have a malt loaf snack and some nuts, that I fetched with me, though this is the point another Running Friend appears so I have to be careful not to shower her in a malt loaf/Brazil nut fusion. Onward, she goes, always.

Soon enough there are large gaps between runners, and before I know it, one of the organisers comes down on a bicycle to say I just dibbed the last runner and can stand down. It's amazing how fast the time has gone; it's about 1300; I'd been there hours and hadn't been bored once. :-) I take the sign down and remove the timing post and help clear up the rubbish, where it's back to the start line with my two colleagues and the medic, to pick up the free beer for volunteering, and an official RSR t-shirt as a reward.

It was a great day; I enjoyed it but did wish I could have ran it. Next year! This was the first year of it and from what I can gather it was a success; all the runners were saying how much they enjoyed it, so all went well, I feel. I had a look at the medals; they were ace. Want! Next year, though!

It was really interesting to see that side of a race, the organisation of it and how it all comes together. If there's a race near to you that you feel you're not ready to run, or perhaps you've been injured and can't yet run again and want to be involved, volunteer to help on the day. It's rewarding, fun and a good laugh and greatly appreciated by the organisers. It's led me to wanting to marshal other events now, as I really enjoyed it. The event was really well put together and it was brilliant to see how hard the organisers were working to get everything right and put everything together. It's easy to forget, I think, that these things aren't easy to organise and take a vast amount of doing, with many setbacks on the way. I've not ran my first race yet (two weeks to go!) but will look at them differently now that I've been on 'the other side' of the running fence. Many of the runners thanked me and I was even complimented on my marshalling, on many an occasion. Quite a few runners said I was their 'favourite dibber man yet' which made me smile. I'll always thank and greet marshals heartily whenever I race - it makes a difference! :-)

So, that's my Run Report for today, with a difference.

Onward, always. :-)

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Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_Yonder
Graduate
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29 Replies
carole01 profile image
carole01Graduate

Good for you Miles!! Volunteer marshals are wonderful and so supportive when you need them. It won't be long until you are running this and breezing it. Good to hear you have many 'running' friends too! Well done for today!

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to carole01

Thank you Carole! :-) It was a really great experience; was a bit unsure beforehand as I'd never done anything like that before, but it all went very well. It was so cool being able to encourage the runners on like that. The only thing I'd do differently next time is to, before the first runners arrive, run that stage myself so that I know what's on it. Many runners asked me what was on that stretch and I didn't know because it was an area unfamiliar to me. My stage was only 800 metres long so I could have ran it beforehand, it just never occurred to me until just now!

An excellent post, as usual. It is very easy to forget all the hard work the goes on behind the scenes at these organised events so good to hear it from that perspective.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to

Thanks Henpen. :-) That's why I posted; I thought the insight from 'that side' of things would be interesting. :-) I'll always be sure to compliment marshals when they're doing a great job. It does make their day; it did mine!

paul2014 profile image
paul2014Graduate

Great report, Mr Dibber, and enjoyer reading about the 'other side' as it were :) It sounds like a great idea having rest/walk areas between running.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate

Yes, it's a great idea. Some of the runners loved it and thought it was great, others found it knocked them out of their stride a bit, but it was a good opportunity to stretch or use the lavatory or wait for friends and so on, so the idea of stages is a great one.

And cheers Paul! :-)

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

Hey Miles , top dibber ! :-) Fab stuff, great to hear a perspective from the "other side "

I can imagine you were chomping at the bit to join in though ! :-) Next year though, deffo .

Very entertaining and informative post as always, and Well done on your good deed for the day :-) xxx

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to poppypug

Thank you, Poppy! :-)

I really enjoyed seeing the event from 'the other side'. I also saw the annoyance in the organiser when volunteers didn't turn up; not that I would do that if I can help it, but seeing first-hand how it affects the running of the whole thing, I'd never dream of doing it!

Yes, next year! I did want to run yesterday, but restrained myself! I hope they will be running it again; yesterday was the first one and it was a bit experimental, but went well, I think. The organisation that goes into these things is immense!

xx

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

Hi M_Y, a very different experience for you compared with running but sounds like it was great fun - what's not to like in meeting more running friends? :)

Now you're a qualified expert dibber you may find your services are in demand for the discombobulated triathlon in July :) xx

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to AncientMum

Good morning, GM! Yes, I'd recommend you race volunteering to anyone, it was good fun. I will do by dibbing bit at the Discombobulated Triathlon too. :-)

I didn't run this morning. I decided last night I would start the Tue/Thu/Sat running week this week. Mainly due to being exhausted last night after getting up so early on a Sunday! So it's been three days off for me, then back to it tomorrow. :-) xx

Tomas profile image
TomasGraduate

Great post, thanks for sharing the experience. The staged HM sounds like a great idea - wonderful exercise, but presumably far more do-able than the real thing for people with less experience.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to Tomas

Thank you, Tomas. :-) I thought people might be interested in the perspective from the 'other side'. I found it an interesting and rewarding experience.

I did think as I was stood there at my post that I'd probably have got round, what with the walk breaks and all. It wouldn't have been fast or pretty, but I think I'd have made it. I was talking to a runner who'd not run for years and never gone further than 10K and he was managing well. It's a good concept; I hope it catches on. :-)

OldNed profile image
OldNedGraduate

That's a great post, thanks. Good to see it from the other side. I saw some of the runners in the walking stage past Dore station just as I was finishing my own Sunday morning run. Think I might have a go at it next year.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to OldNed

Thanks Ned. :-)

If you saw a chap pushing a bicycle past Dore station, that was one of the organisers. He was bicycling around the course making sure things were okay and standing marshals and foodstations down, though he had a puncture around Dore! He got it sorted though and was on his way again.

I'll run it next year too; it takes in some really nice places and views and looked a really good race; quite innovative really. I'd not heard of that timed stage concept before. The organisers were working hard to ensure it all went to plan as well, which was really great to see.

squaremum profile image
squaremumGraduate

I ran this race and had a chat with you while my partner was off having a wee down the lane. We had a chat about Graves parkrun I seem to remember. What a coincidence! You and all the other marshals were fantastic and the whole event was so well organised. I recommend it to everyone. Well done!!!

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate

What a small world! Hello! :-)

Yes, I remember well; nice to meet you! Glad you enjoyed the race; it did look great and everyone was so positive about it. You've no idea how much I wished I could have been running it! I could probably have got round had I taken it steady, but decided to err on the side of caution. Next year though, definitely. If only for the medal; I saw them being handed out when I got back to Endcliffe and they were great! Glad you found us marshals to be good too. :-) I was put in charge of Nettle Path and Lavatory Lane, for reasons unknown! :D

How did you get on with the rest of the course after you passed my stage?

Are you doing the 10K Run in the Park at Graves in a couple of weeks? wphcancercharity.org.uk/run... I'm signed-up. As a runner this time, not a marshal!

Well done to you too: it was quite the course! :-)

squaremum profile image
squaremumGraduate

The medals are great aren't they? I'm still giddy about the whole thing!

As for how it went, my calves were getting a bit tight by the time I met you and I'd had a little stretch while munching some jelly babies. After you it was downhill for a while, stage 10 was uphill and a killer, then it was just a case of struggling through the park to the finish. I ended up getting round the 20k in 1:57 so was pleased with that! It would be great to have some more c25kers run it next year.

Best of luck with the 10k in Graves. I'll be keeping an eye out on here to see how you go. My next race is the Great Yorkshire Run in September.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate

Wow, that's an excellent time! Very well done indeed! :-) I'll bet you're still giddy too; it is quite the achievement, especially given those bloody hills! Congratulations! :-)

We'll have to have a recruitment drive here to get some more C25Kers along for it. Thank you; hopefully it will go well, but a race starting at 1100 in the middle of July has me hoping it will pour with rain, though I would feel sorry for the poor marshals! :D I'm running the Great Yorkshire Run as well; really looking forward to that one.

squaremum profile image
squaremumGraduate in reply to Miles_Yonder

Yes it would be great to get lots of C25kers to do it next year. Even more fun!

Sorry for the late reply. Does the new site not send reply notifications?! Outrageous.

spoonierunning profile image
spoonierunningGraduate

Sounds like you had fun, what a great report.

Bananas yuck :( are you allergic to the pesky yellow things as well? I can now just about tolerate the smell as I buy them for the bunnies and Ferd as treats.

And you were the favourite dibber man as well :D great achievement

P.s I've registered my interest for next year, it really does sound interesting.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to spoonierunning

Hey Spoonie. :-) Thank you!

Yes, I am. The smell I can ***JUST*** about tolerate in the open, but not in enclosed spaces. (My sense of smell isn't great but those things are overpowering.) Eating one will bring about a Sudden Vomiting Incident. (SVI) *shudders*

That said, I like banana milkshake and dried banana slices, just not actual fresh bananas.

Thanks again; I enjoyed the day and hope to be running it next year! I'm glad I was on marshal duty and not foodstation duty, with all the 'nanas!

spoonierunning profile image
spoonierunningGraduate in reply to Miles_Yonder

I can tolerate a very small amount in a smoothie, but its not worth it. I won't even try a 'nana chip (I make them for the bunnies). People always thought I was weird as a child and I always thought I was the only person allergic to them, luckily I don't seem to be allergic to the other things in the nana allergy group, I can still nom on kiwi fruit.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to spoonierunning

Snap, people always think me weird for it too. Bananas are supposedly great for runners, but DO NOT WANT! I can eat kiwi fruit fine too with no issue; I like them, but 'nanas? Noooooooo!

spoonierunning profile image
spoonierunningGraduate in reply to Miles_Yonder

I keep wondering if there is a 'nana alternative for runners. I can't to have a job and money and I will be able to buy things like dates and nuts again - it's amazing how cheap rubbish is but good food is expensive

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to spoonierunning

Any word yet on the job, Spoonie?

I know: convenience food and unhealthy snacks are so cheap but stuff that's good for us is so expensive. The trip to London with work before the last, running late, I had to stop at a services and was starving. A bag of salad, packet of smoked salmon and the healthiest looking bread rolls I could find, along with a bag of Brazil nuts, were more expensive than something from one of the fast food places, but I didn't want a burger or fried chicken! I could have had a jacket tater and tuna I suppose but even then, not cheap from the services.

spoonierunning profile image
spoonierunningGraduate in reply to Miles_Yonder

No word yet, I've become addicted to checking my emails.

I got my copy of the occ health report Friday, so I guess that's when they copy also got there's so it's probably making it's way through internal mail to find the right in tray. Very frustrating.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to spoonierunning

Hang on in there, Spoonie; you'll be telling us all the good news very soon! :-)

Banksy7 profile image
Banksy7

You did an amazing job! .....and were definitely in the top 3 most enthusiastic volunteers we had :-) ....Good luck with your races coming up .... roundsheffieldrun.com is the website for those who would like more info there is a little box where you can register your interest for next year.

Miles_Yonder profile image
Miles_YonderGraduate in reply to Banksy7

Fancy seeing you here! :D

Thank you for the opportunity; I really enjoyed it. Being enthusiastic is the only way; there's not a great deal of point in volunteering for such a duty if one is only going to be half-hearted at it. It even frustrated me that a few volunteers didn't turn up, so it must have highly frustrated you, as the organiser. But, that said, it didn't seem to have a negative effect on the day and people really enjoyed the race.

You're organising another for next year then? That's brilliant news, I'll be running it. I want one of those medals, they are ace! For God's sake though, don't do it on the same day as the Humber Bridge HM as I really want to run that too! I'll always regard Stage Eight with fondness; that will forever be 'my' stage.

Thanks again for your kind words; I've just registered for the Leeds 10K in a couple of weeks and the York 10K in August. So many races, so very little time!

Thanks once more; I'll see you at the TenTenTen in October. :-)

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