Volunteers Needed: Help Power Local Road Races

Not racing this weekend? That doesn’t mean you have to sit this one out. Local road races run on volunteers, and BCTC members stepping up to help is one of the best ways we support the running community we’re all part of.

Still on the fence? Here are a couple of questions we hear a lot.

“What am I actually agreeing to?”

Good question — and race organizers almost always spell it out for you. Volunteer needs typically fall into three windows:

• Before the race — course setup, packet pickup
• During the race — directing runners on course, staffing aid stations, helping in the finish area
• After the race — finish area teardown and cleanup

Most sign-ups let you pick the shift that fits your schedule and comfort level. And if the details aren’t posted, just reach out to the race organizers directly and ask — they’re always happy to fill you in. Many of the races where BCTC volunteers are managed by Jason Page and Kim Chapman at Bull City Racing, so you know they are always willing to discuss volunteering.

“Will I be good at it?”

Yes! These roles aren’t complicated or physically demanding. What matters most is showing up, paying attention, and being engaged. Handing out water, pointing runners the right direction, cheering someone through the last mile — it’s not hard, but it makes a real difference in how a runner’s race day goes.

Why it’s worth your morning

Volunteering means you still get to be part of race-day energy, even when you’re not toeing the start line yourself. You’ll be part of the excitement, support a great community event, and probably run into a few fellow BCTC members along the way.

And here’s a bonus: for some races, our volunteer hours count as credit toward a direct payment from the race organizers back to the club. So when you volunteer, you’re not just helping runners — you’re helping fund BCTC. The Shakori 40 Running Festival and Wilmington Marathon are two of the races where the Club is counting on volunteer turnout. We’ll share more on these two events as we get closer, but consider adding one or both to your calendar.

Ready to sign up? Check out the events that are currently looking for volunteers. We also have a page dedicated to Volunteering that always has the latest volunteer opportunities. And take a look at the Club’s Volunteer Code of Conduct, too.