Volunteering at parkrun
How to get involved
In advance: If you know in advance that you would like to volunteer (either the next weekend or a future date) please email tampere@parkrun.com and we will be in touch – we’d love to hear from you! Please include your full name and, if you know it, your parkrun ID found on your barcode.
On the day: If you’re not sure of your weekend plans and don’t want to commit in advance, just turn up and talk to the volunteers when you arrive – we can never have too many volunteers!
Interested in volunteering regularly? You can sign up to receive volunteering emails in your parkrun profile, which you can find here.
Register: If you’ve not yet registered for parkrun, please register here, you can then keep track of your parkrun progress as you work towards the various milestones. You do not need to register separately for volunteering.
You can see our future volunteer roster here. Even if the roster looks full, there’s always a role for you, so please do get in touch!
What can I do at the event?
There is something for everyone at parkrun, you could be setting up the course, scanning people’s barcodes at the finish or ensuring everyone gets safely around the route as a marshal. You can find a full list of the roles here. We never ask anybody to do anything they're not comfortable with and if you want to do a particular volunteer role, please let us know and we'll try to accommodate.
On the day, you are always supported by other volunteers. If you have any concerns that arise whilst you’re volunteering you should discuss those concerns with the Run Director at the event, or after the event by contacting us using support.parkrun.com.
We hope that we’ve answered all of your questions, but if not, please check our frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
FAQs
Do I need to have been to parkrun or junior parkrun before I volunteer?
No, you do not need to have been to a parkrun or junior parkrun event before, we always welcome new people!
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
You can be any age to volunteer, anyone under the age of 18 must be within close proximity to an adult.
Can I bring my children to volunteer?
Yes, families are welcome to volunteer at parkrun and junior parkrun. The roles are designed to be simple, and the tasks are suitable for children. You can even volunteer together as a family.
Can I bring my dog to volunteer?
Yes, you can do many roles with a dog, as long as you follow the dogs policy (short, handheld, non-extendable lead). Not all parkrun locations allow dogs at the event, so please check when you email. Dogs are not allowed at junior parkrun events.
Can I volunteer with a friend?
Yes, please just let us know that you’d like to volunteer with your friend and we’ll find the best role for you to do together.
How long does volunteering take?
There are no cut off times at parkrun or junior parkrun events, so the duration of volunteering can vary from week to week. The length of time also depends on the role you are doing - some only take a few minutes, others can take longer. Some roles can also be done whilst walking or running the course. You can stay as long as you like, including joining others for a drink at the cafe after!
Do I have to commit to a certain number of volunteering days?
No, you can volunteer as often or as little as you like! Just drop us an email when you’d like to volunteer, or just turn up on the day.
Do I have to do the same role each week?
Definitely not! We love for people to volunteer in different roles. If you have a preference for what role you’d like to do, please let us know.
Do I need to be a runner or have a particular level of fitness to volunteer?
No, everyone is welcome. No experience, skills or knowledge are required. We will help find a role that is right for you.
Do I need to bring/wear anything specific?
No, please wear anything that you feel comfortable in. You’ll be given a high-visibility vest to wear over your clothing. You don’t need to bring any specific equipment, but if you are barcode scanning or timing, you will need a smartphone with the Virtual Volunteer app downloaded, you can find this here.
Do I need to be registered with parkrun?
Yes, please register for parkrun in advance of volunteering here. You do not need to re-register if you’ve already registered.
Do I need to take my parkrun barcode?
No, you do not need to take your barcode to the event. If you are carrying out the roles of Tail Walker, parkwalker, Pacer or VI Guide and would like to record a finish time please bring your barcode.