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Marshals are race officials who ensure that runners take the right route in a race.

A Marshal stays at a fixed point, and as runners approach, makes clear to them where they need to head - typically by holding out an arm and pointing the way.

Easy!!

Yes - it was easy to write that down. Now, what's it really like?

It is actually quite easy, but like most things, its helpful if you have a few tips if this is your first time.

Tips

All Marshals are volunteers. They may be running club members themselves, or husbands or wives or relatives of members, or they may be completely unconnected to running, offering their services out of interest or in response to pleas for help from the race hosting club. What they all have in common is the wish to do the job properly, while getting enjoyment from it.

Its the responsibility of the hosting club to make sure that these helpers are all clear and comfortable with what they are being asked to do. The Chief Marshal will hold a briefing session, and it is his duty to answer any questions that Marshals have. These will range from asking for clarification on exactly where a particular marshalling point is, to how to know when the last runner has gone past.

 
While directing runners is the objective, its not your first concern. Your first concern is safety. That means firstly yours. The main danger in a road race is naturally traffic. You should never be asked to wait in a dangerous spot. Never takes risks with your safety.

You will be issued with a yellow bib or cape, probably marked with the word 'Marshal'. This serves 2 purposes - the runners will know that you are an official, and will follow your directions, and drivers will also see you, and understand that you are carrying out some function that requires that you are very visible. Usually the sight of the yellow bib alone is sufficient to cause drivers to slow down and become more alert.

The second safety concern you have is for the runners.

Runners should know how to behave on the roads - they also will have been briefed at the start by the Race Starter. They will usually have been told for instance to keep to the left hand side of roads. However, adrenaline or exhaustion can both cause the runner to forget basic instructions.

As a Marshal, use your own common sense if you think there is a dangerous situation. For instance when runners are running round a bend on a busy road, stop them from drifting across to the wrong side of the road by shouting at them to keep in, and 'shooing' them with your arms. It is their duty to do what you are telling them.

Don't be afraid to stop runners completely if there is real danger (eg. 2 cars driven by boy racers approaching side-by-side). Hopefully you will never find yourself in such a situation.

Sometimes traffic has to be stopped completely - eg. at the start of a race, when a large group swings out onto the road. Its better to stop traffic in both directions for a couple of minutes, rather than to risk mixing cars and runners that closely! This isn't something that inexperienced Marshals will be expected to do - at least certainly not on their own. Usually the police will carry out this action for clubs, but with new rules coming into force, the police will no longer be carrying out this activity, leaving it completely to the race organisers.

While on the subject of the police, you may find yourself marshalling a junction at the same time as a policeman is present to specifically control the traffic. This happens in some larger races where the traffic is very heavy. The Chief Marshal should have already had discussions with the police on the route etc, so the police will be present to see that the race gets through safely. You must obviously cooperate fully with what a police officer tells you to do - he is in charge of the road. However, don't expect him to help with your marshalling - its not his job to point out the direction racers should take - that's yours.

The occasional driver will get upset as he drives past you - for no apparent reason. It's not unknown for a driver to shout that road races shouldn't be allowed - roads are for traffic. Its very helpful if you don't rise to the bait. Use your judgement here, on whether you simply ignore him, or perhaps give him a smile & a wave - it won't change his mind, but it also won't make him any more aggressive. Remember, safety of runners is the 2nd most important thing you have to think of - by not losing your cool, the driver won't become more angry & be tempted to drive a little closer to runners ahead to intimidate them.

If drivers show courtesy by slowing, or driving wide to keep clear of runners, please also nod & wave to them to show appreciation.

Drivers aren't the only people who like being acknowledged. Feel free to clap runners as they pass, and throw out 'Well done' comments. They may not all wave back (they may not have the strength!), but be assured that they all appreciate it.

What else?

Be sure that you not only know where you are being asked to marshal (precisely - at the road junction, or at the narrow hump bridge before it?), but that you know in which direction the runners will be approaching you, and in which direction to send them.

Check out how you are to get to the Marshalling point - you probably need a lift there.

Check out what happens after the last runner has passed you. Will you be picked up? At what time is that likely to be?

If you are given a map, make sure that it makes sense before you set out. If it doesn't, ask the Chief Marshal to explain it - its possible that the map has been wrongly marked.

If you aren't given a map, its even more important that you study one that the Chief Marshal has, or one pinned up in the race entries area - and ask if you are unsure.

Not everyone has a mobile phone, and its not a requirement to have one or use one in order to act as a Marshal. However, if you do have one, its a good idea to take it with you, and to get the number of the Chief Marshal and the race centre, and give your number in return.

 
The Chief Marshal should have already given instructions on what to do with injured runners - eg. someone with a twisted ankle - usually they should stay with the Marshal, until they can be picked up. If you are not given any information on this, assume that they should stay with you, and tell the runner. They may insist on hobbling on, as they live nearby for instance. You can't stop them doing this, but make a note of their number so that you can report it back later. This will stop a search group being sent out to look for the missing runner.

 
Where you have good visibility on the course, and can see runners approaching from quite a distance, don't feel that you mustn't take your eyes off the course for a second. There are certainly busy periods, but there are also periods of large gaps between runners. If you are not marshalling alone, then these times will give you plenty of opportunity to chat.

Its very pleasant to marshal in pairs, if there are sufficient individuals to go round. This would be especially useful as a first-time experience.

 
Make sure that you will be warm enough - you will be doing a lot of standing around. This might be on the top of a windswept hill. Don't be fooled by the runners wearing just vest & shorts, they'll heat up from the exercise. Look silly if necessary - woolly hat & gloves are quite normal. Take a flask & sandwiches if you like.

 
Anything else?

Not really - marshalling can be quite an enjoyable experience. There's the feeling of contributing to the event, and the satisfaction of a job well done. You get to see places you would never dream of going to, or more usually places you didn't even know exist. Have a good time.