So - I'm out of action at the moment so have been volunteering for the past few weeks, few different roles but struggle the most with marshalling. Never quite sure what to do - clap - but pretty silent with gloves on?! sometimes say "well done" but that seems a little condescending somehow
Therefore what I want to know is - what do other marshals shout? (I've only run 2 and was concentrating so hard if they did say something I've no idea what!) and/or What do you want to hear, if anything?
I like getting a well done. All the marshals at Cleethorpes this morning either clapped or said well done or both. The clapping could have been to keep warm though! A nearly there is always nice too if it's true!
clap, well done, not far, keep going - they all help!
I was at huddersfield yesterday. One chap had finished and walked back round the course a bit. He was offering helpful advise to the back third. "Head up", "Never give up", etc. He was very enthusiastic and it helped.
Clapping and "nearly there" and "all downhill from here" are good to here. At another parkrun (Newbury I think) one chap was shouting "all downhill from here" with a huge smile on his face, at the bottom of a huge hill up to the finish. He got lots of laughs and quite a few groans 
When I marshal at great run local, I never know what to say even now, at first I was shadowing another marshal because I was nervous, didn't know what to do and say so asked if i could shadow another marshal, plus I didn't want to get lost, all the woman I was marshalling with did was say good morning, so I kept my ears open at parkrun to find out what marshals say there, so now I say things like well done, not far now, only 1 more lap left (at great run local they do 3 small laps and 2 big laps, so I say that when they are on their 2nd big lap because it goes small, big, small, big and then a small lap) keep going, your doing great, and now I've starting clapping, I just want to cheer the runners on (like you do) more than just saying morning to everyone, as a runner it makes me try and put in extra effort when the marshals cheer me on,
I hope this helps and sorry for the long winded answer,
Take care,
Siobhan x
I know what you mean about the clapping in gloves!
I think any form of encouragement is appreciated. Well done, keep going, not far to go, you've done the hardest part etc. At the bottom of one of the inclines the week the marshall was shouting "pump those arms" it was really appreciated. If you look carefully, you can tell the runners that are pushing themselves so I always shout a bit of encouragement their way ☺
I only lurk occasionally here now, because although I graduated C25K some time ago, I never managed a decent speed, didn't run for a long period (see below) and also decided that using the Galloway walk/run method is far kinder to my body than trying to run non-stop and if anything improves my times. So I don't really feel I fit very well in this forum. However, I think I should reply to this thread.
I have dared Parkrun again three times over this holiday period, after a couple of bad Parkrun experiences in March/April 2014 discouraged me so much that I eventually stopped trying to run at all, even on my own, until restarting this October. These new three attempts have been much better.
What discouraged me in 2014 was constantly being told by marshals to start running again whenever I took a walk break. I felt hassled and stressed by this. On my last attempt then, I also felt everyone was impatient to pack up and go and that the tail runner resented crawling along at my pace. At the end she simply said, without a smile or any warmth whatsoever, "Well, perhaps you can try running the whole course next time" and walked away. I felt demotivated and humiliated. It was like being back at school where everyone hated me because I was useless at sports and athletics.
So I went home, had a good cry, did the minimum over the next few weeks that I needed to survive a 10K in June, which I had already paid for, and then, after coming fifth from last in that, put away my running gear. I finally dragged it out again this past October, because I really do need to get fitter again.
My daughter persuaded me to try Parkrun again on Boxing Day when I was staying with her in Brighton over Christmas. What I liked there was being left in peace to do my run/walk thing, with the occasional "well done", "not far now", the odd joke, etc, and the fact the marshals were smiling.
Yesterday (New Year's Day), I did an extra Parkrun in Cardiff. It was marvellous and has motivated me massively. The main thing that made such a huge difference was two particular marshals, who started talking to me before the start. That was lovely because I am always on my own and can feel very lonely and self-conscious in crowds where everyone else seems to know loads of people. They also asked my name. Later as I was doing the run, I passed them on the way out and back. Each time, they both called out my name and cheered. That meant so very much! I know it is obviously not possible to do this for huge numbers of people, but if you as a marshal are at the start point, see someone obviously on their own, obviously new to your run, then perhaps "personalising" their experience by finding out and using their name could make it wonderful for them, like it did for me. I also liked the marshal who didn't say a word but was doing high-fives with every one of us stragglers as we lumbered past.
I was so boosted by that experience that I went out again and did the Pontypridd Parkrun this morning. This is the first time I have ever run two days in a row and the first day I have run in the rain since restarting. It was also a good experience, with no one hassling. One marshal was brilliant. She yelled out "You know you are awesome because you are doing this!" That put a smile on my face for a good part of the third and last circuit.
Some really interesting feedback - thanks so much. Funnily enough I was daunted at my first - and no-one spoke to me and they all seemed to know one another, I was so elated that I'd finished and it was odd having no-one to share it with until I went to find my partner, who was marshalling half way round the course.
Since then I only ran one more, and have volunteered at the rest - still feel like a bit of an outsider but I enjoy it so will stick with it
Glad you went back to it and had a much more enjoyable experience - Stick with it - you are awesome - especially heading out in cold and rain
So glad to hear you've experienced the true spirit of Parkrun. You stick at whatever method works for you ☺
I just can't imagine why anyone who is not inspired by the Parkrun "rear guard" action would volunteer to be a tail runner! I'm certain it says more about her than you.
You stick at it and keep going to Parkrun as often as you can. Good luck ☺
Loads of C25k graduates lapse a bit and/or run slowly or not very far and loads now do Galloway too. You did C25k - so you do fit with this forum!
It's a real shame that there are a few parkruns which do not operate with true parkrun spirit. It's fantastic that these are vastly outweighed by the majority but very unfortunate when a first timer is understandably put off by their experience at a particular venue.
It's lovely to hear that you've braved parkrun again and how the actions of kind and inspiring people are making such a difference to your enjoyment and motivation.
wow, thanks for the replies! seems I wasn't doing it 'wrong' after all And now I have a few new phrases to shout
Parkrun marshalling - wow! 🏃♀️❤️🏃♂️
Wonderful Parkrun (not in a park) and what's that little word after my name?!!!!
New Bling and my Mum's old skirt. 
Happy birthday parkrun!
What are you doing on Saturday morning?
