Meet the volunteers- This is Adam.
I have really enjoyed reading this every week. Its been a great way to find out more about other volunteers and their take on parkrun.
When I 1st heard about parkrun many years ago my initial thought about a FREE 5K run/walk every Saturday at 9 am organised completely by volunteers was "It will never catch on" OOPS.
Very glad I was totally wrong, as many parkrunners have told me how much parkrun has become a big part of their lives and helped them in so many different ways.
1. When and why did you first choose to volunteer with parkrun?
I've been parkrunning for over 10 years now (parkrun birthday24th April 2010) but I 1st volunteered at Worsley Woods very first event. So that was over 8 years ago. I was a marshal at the 3 bears cottage. The why is easy to answer "injury".
2. Which is your favourite volunteer role at parkrun?
Due to the fact, my running days are probably behind me now I have been lucky enough to have volunteered in many different roles (18) and looking at my stats it says I have volunteered 535 times at 289 runs. All the roles are rewarding and fun but if I have to pick then timekeeping is the one I would choose, although when numbers are high and using the phone volunteer app with battery down to 13% it can get interesting.
3. What would you say to someone who is unsure if volunteering is for them?
I was one of those unsure people but volunteering has proved to be a big positive for me as you get to meet so many nice people and learn lots along the way. So give it a go. Lots of 1st-time volunteers have said to me after how great and enjoyable it was.
4. What are you doing when you're not at parkrun?
Thinking about the next parkrun which at the moment could be a while off. I also love to exercise but have had to find other ways of keeping my CV up to scratch as running is not an option at the moment. So the indoor rowing machine and static bike get a hammering now.
5. What song would be your parkrun anthem (either for volunteering or walk/jog/running)?
Was not a music lover when running but have been training recently with Pink Floyd " Shine on you crazy diamond "and "Wish you were here" amongst others.
I have to give a special mention to two Worsley Woods parkrunners who sadly are not with us anymore but gave so much to Worsley Woods parkun for many years. So a big thank you to the lovely Carol Gorton and Nigel Burke you are both missed by many.
