Volunteering at the London Marathon
In this post: what it’s really like behind the scenes as a volunteer at the start of the 2018 London Marathon.
My experience with major marathons had previously been limited to watching them on television. Seeking a behind-the-scenes perspective, I experienced a blend of anticipation and apprehension when I journeyed to Blackheath at 5:00 am on a Sunday morning to volunteer.
Securing this opportunity was made possible through my local running club, Horsham Joggers, who deployed approximately 25 members to assist on the morning of the event. Our role was to answer questions from runners as they congregated for the event.
Early Morning on a Misty Blackheath
Outfitted in distinctive red jackets, our team was deployed across a misty Blackheath landscape by 6:30 am, positioned just outside the designated assembly areas. The influx of participants commenced steadily around 7:00 am, though we also encountered a handful of anxious individuals rushing in just five minutes ahead of the 10:00 am start.
The initial hours brought a predictable flow of questions.
The initial hours brought a predictable flow of questions. Many of the questions were simple to answer. Where is my assembly area? Where are the toilets? Where can I leave my race bag? That sort of thing. It was great to be able to help.
Managing the Pre-Race Rush
As the start time approached, there were more and more people in the meeting areas and other marshals started moving barriers around so that runners could be funnelled into the start zones. This was a bit more difficult because I was on a crossing point which was no longer available. So, some runners had to be directed the long way round or shepherded across the road in small groups.
Early morning mist had dissipated, giving way to a warm and sunny spring day.
By 9:45 am, the early morning mist had dissipated, giving way to a warm and sunny spring day. We were subsequently repositioned to intercept any stragglers, guiding them toward their correct zones while simultaneously assisting spectators with route advice regarding prime viewing spots along the course.
Watching the Waves Set Off
At 10 am, we were finished volunteering for the day and were able to watch from a few feet as runners were moved forward in waves towards the start line. There was a great atmosphere and lots of clapping and brief conversations with everyone, even though the start line was 100 metres up the road.
Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
After everyone was away from our area, some of our volunteer crew walked or travelled to other points on the course, for example Cutty Sark, at the 6 mile point in the race. I wish I’d done that now but I was sharing a lift with a couple of others and we headed back home. Next time though!
Overall, it was very enjoyable day and a great opportunity to get involved and experience the atmosphere at the start of the Marathon. I’d like to do it again next year.
