The view from the other side

[Anniemurph]

Well done misswobble for yesterday's Ashbourne 10 🏃‍♀️🏅🌄

I was a marshal for the event, and as well as scoring a hot breakfast and a hoodie it was a great experience! I was a bit surprised when the email arrived asking me to be there at 7:20am but a lot of the set up had already been completed by that point so we had our briefing, got our hi-viz and stood behind the tables...

One person registered. The second arrived. Then a couple. Then it went quiet. Then BAM! - it went mad, with loads of people, dogs, small children, confused runners, desperate runners, runners wanting to change distance, runners needing the loo, runners not knowing their number (didn't matter), doubtful runners, first-timers not knowing how to fix their ankle chip, confused runners, confused marshals (me!), more runners, even more runners, runners wanting to register on the day, and at the very height of it all, off I went to take my station.

I was on the water table at Tissington, with another marshal. We arrived to find that the tables and water were there for us so started setting out cups. But how many? Only the 10 milers would come up to us, but we weren't sure how many there would be. Never mind, get the cups out!

The rain started. But who cares, here's the first canicrosser! And another! And quite shortly after, the first ten-miler! And here was the first canicrosser back again!

We cheered everyone on - they all did brilliantly. Quite a few were a bit out of puff going up because it's a bit of a drag on the way up, but I told them they'd fly back downhill to that bling It was lovely to see everyone, all different styles, some people running very self-contained, some people running chatting away to friends, some people stopping for a drink and a quick natter. They were all fantastic!

The tail marker came through on the downhill leg and we packed everything up and went back to the Leisure Centre. Still lots to do on the baggage table, and then I went to cheer the last few people over the line Then more packing away, and it was time to go home.

What a great experience! I'd definitely do it again.

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Fabulous post - thanks Murph!!!! xxx

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

It was a fabulous event and I was privileged to see all the runners

[Madge50 Marathon]

Fantastic Annie, all the volunteers at events are brilliant, I did the Cambridge HM yesterday, many of my parkrun friends volunteer for it, and the happy faces and hugs are part of the whole event, in fact I would say it’s the volunteers who make it really special - I like volunteering too......

Well done you 👏👍

Mx

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Well done on your HM, Madge! Bet you feel epic today!

I've volunteered at Parkrun before, and I've cheered friends on at runs before, but I've never been given responsible jobs before It was fab though x

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

A very detailed description of the start of an event run 'Anniemurph' love your second paragraph 'runners everything' LOL great, I can just imagine that happens at most large runners gatherings, would you have preferred to have been running or was it just better marshalling?

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

I've been part of the mad crowd at the registration tables before but it's quite daunting on the other side! Luckily, the organisers were very ... organised ... and made it very easy for us.

I think generally I prefer to run although I won't do this one, as it's too early in the year for me. It's a real slog uphill and I hate training through the winter. I ran another local 10k last weekend and although that's 'undulating' you get some respite at the start. This is grim for the first 5k. So respect to everyone who ran it!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Anniemurph]

👍

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Well done. I ran on Sunday and the weather was grim for us runners, but for those who gave up their time to provide water and support, massive repsect. Reading your report, I feel its time to pay my dues and volunteer myself

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to Whatsapp]

Ooh, hope you had a good time even in the rain?

I'll definitely volunteer again, and not just for the bacon cob and hoodie

[misswobble Marathon]

Mornin 😁. Just free-wheeling while I charge my phone as I am off running to give my legs a stretch post race 🏃‍♀️ Flippin windy so wrapped up well, apart from gloves which annoy me. Could have done with yesters though as it was a cold start

It was lovely to see you 👍😃. Ta for the cheers of support 💪👍😃

I’ll post a race report when I get back. OH took his customary one photo 🙄

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Looking forward to your report! Have a good run

[misswobble Marathon]

Ta 😁.

[Irish-John Marathon]

Exhilarating and exhausting!

Blimey - I now have a new appreciation for the organisers, Marshalls etc

Great read Annie, thank you

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks, I-J! It was great fun and I will definitely do it again

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Well done to you, esp in yesterday's weather! Lovely hearing about the view from the other side. Volunteering really adds to your appreciation of events I think - although I've only done parkrun. When I'm running I always try to thank every marshal, which in turn often wins me a few extra words of encouragement. All good teamwork 😀

[Anniemurph Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It was lovely to hear 'Thank you, Marshal!' as people ran past I agree, I always try to thank volunteers because especially at Parkruns for example, we wouldn't be running without them.