When and why did you first choose to volunteer with parkrun?
I started volunteering in 2018. Basically I wanted to help out and give something back after starting parkrunning in May 2017. WW were asking for volunteers so myself and two of my Swinton Running Club/parkrun friends decided to help. My first role was marshal.
Which is your favourite volunteer role at parkrun?
I don't really have a favourite but I think I have been barcode scanner more often than any other role.
What would you say to someone who is unsure if volunteering is for them?
If anyone is thinking of volunteering when things eventually get back to normal I would say go for it! It's a great experience seeing everyone run/walk and helping and encouraging everyone. The other volunteers are all super friendly and going for a coffee after with friends is a must! parkrun is great way to start a Saturday and I'm really missing it right now!
What are you doing when you're not at parkrun
When I'm not volunteering, which is obviously a lot currently, I run with my chums from Swinton running club (at a two meter distance at the moment of course). I was training for the Manchester Marathon before Covid arrived and we have a little social running team called TTT (Team Turbo Tortoise) who are mainly running club chums, it's where we give help and support to each other and post runs and challenges which has been a godsend recently. I'm not the fastest runner and have struggled to run alone during lockdown as I like company.
What song would be your parkrun anthem (either for volunteering or walk/jog/running)?
I don't really listen to music when running (too busy talking) but I do love anything 80's. I'm really looking forward to the day when I can cheer everyone on again.
Don't forget to check out the (not) parkrun virtual 5k.