• Don't text or use your cell phone for non-race purposes
• Don't listen to your iPod—and put down that book while you're marshaling
• Don't leave your assigned position without first informing your marshal captain.
• Don't poke the bear! If you encounter wildlife, do not engage.
• Don't leave until you're officially dismissed—you won't receive your volunteer credit unless your marshal captain checks you out.
• Don't confront a runner. If you see someone doing something inappropriate, take down the runner's bib number and report the incident to your marshal captain immediately.
• Don't call 911 unless it’s a dire emergency; our emergency medical team and staff are able to respond much more quickly, as they are already in the park. For injuries, call 1-866-705-6626; station yourself to protect the injured runner from oncoming traffic and raise your emergency card over your head.
• Don't bring your children or pets along for your volunteer assignment; we require your full attention when you're on the course, and safety is our number-one priority
• Don't speak on behalf of NYRR, but you may talk about your own experiences as a runner if you're approached by a member of the media

• Store the NYRR Medical Emergency Number in your phone: 1-866-705-6626.
• Know who your marshal captain is, and have his or her phone number stored in your phone in case of an emergency.
• Report any incidents to your marshal captain as soon as possible. Safety is our number-one priority.
• Pay attention to the road: Be aware of bikers, runners, pedestrians, pedicabs, taxis, and trucks around you.
• Watch out for people who defecate or urinate in the open. Document their race numbers.
• Look for people racing with jogging strollers. Document their race numbers.
• Keep an eye out for people racing on roller blades. Document their race numbers.
• Be wary of runners using multiple D- or B-Tags; cheaters have no place in NYRR events!
• Clap, cheer, shout, and support all runners! Feel free to bring cowbells, tambourines, and/or other non-amplified noisemakers.
• Make sure cones and delineators are in the proper places before and after the race; your marshal captain will direct you in their proper placement.
• Pick up any gel packs/cups/garbage left behind by runners; we need to respect the park and all its patrons by leaving the race area clean.
• Volunteer more than once! Without your support, our amazing races would not be possible.
• Bring a friend, and come support your fellow runners!

A standard volunteer shift at one of our weekly races is about four hours. However, the length of each shift varies, depending on the size and distance of the race. Though we try our best to assign you to a specific job, please be advised that you may be reassigned to multiple positions as needed. Certain volunteers may be asked to report earlier than others based on their jobs. Most volunteers arrive about 90 minutes before a race and remain until all responsibilities are completed.

If you received a confirmation email, then you are officially signed up to volunteer for a race. Be sure to add vols@nyrr.org to your address book, and if necessary, check your spam folder for confirmation emails. If you did not receive a confirmation email, contact vols@nyrr.org. In addition to the confirmation email, you will receive an email the week of the race with detailed information on your job responsibilities and any relevant course maps and/or layouts.

All of our volunteer opportunities require you to work on your feet. The responsibilities for each job position are listed below.

Registration/Packet Pick-Up

• Give runners their race numbers and T-shirts at pre-race pickup or on race day.
• Pre-race registration is typically from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at NYRR headquarters, 9 East 89th Street, unless otherwise specified.
• Race-day registration typically opens 90 minutes before the start of a race and closes a few minutes before the starting command.
• After race-day registration is completed, you will be reassigned for the rest of the day.
• For winter races, race-day number pickup is usually at NYRR headquarters.
• For all other races, number pickup is near the start unless otherwise specified.
• Other registration duties: Explain how to attach timing devices; direct runners to the start area; and assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.

Baggage Attendant

• Ensure that runners' baggage is safely stored and appropriately tagged; runners may not leave bags in the baggage pen without the correct baggage tag attached.
• Check bibs against tagged baggage during retrieval process; runners may not take bags unless the baggage tag and bib number match.
• Direct runners to dispose of chip instructions and other trash in the garbage bins to maintain a clean area.
• Assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

Start Marshal

• Assist with the smooth and successful start of the race.
• Manage corral entrances (when necessary) and check runners' bibs, ensuring that runners enter the corral corresponding to their bib color and that they enter the corrals at least 10 minutes before the start of the race; runners who arrive after this point must go to the last corral, regardless of bib color.
• Keep the emergency lane clear for emergency vehicles, cyclists, and other park patrons; alert pedestrians and runners entering the race site to approaching bicycles and vehicles.
• Be vocal and upbeat in directing runners to the start and off the roadway.
• Assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

Finish Marshal

• Keep spectators off the race course and out of the emergency lane in the pre-finish area.
• Move runners smoothly through the the post-finish area once they cross the finish line.
• Direct runners to medical, food, fluid, and baggage areas as necessary.
• Cheer for runners as they finish!
• Alert pedestrians and runners exiting the race site to approaching bicycles and vehicles.
• Assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

Water Station/Post-Race Food Attendant

• Assist in the setup and breakdown of the water and Gatorade stations along the course; each station will have a supervisor to manage stacking cups and post-race cleanup.
• Help distribute bagels and fruit at the post-finish fluid and food station.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

Cyclist

• Most cyclists ride 500 feet ahead of the race leaders (as directed by the on-site lead cyclist) making sure park users, other cyclists, and vehicles don't impede the runners on the race course.
• Some cyclists are assigned to ride with the lead wheelchair athlete, the lead male runner, or the lead female runner.
• Other cyclists ride alongside the running pack or serve as back-of-the-pack cyclists.
• Maintain course safety for runners, volunteers, race personnel, and other park users.
• Assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

Course Marshal

• Serve as the eyes and ears of the race.
• Course marshals are given an orange vest and an emergency number card and placed in a specific area of the course/park.
• Cheer on runners as they pass, but try not to get too caught up in simply watching the race.
• Make sure all runners stay in the running lane for safety purposes; throughout the race, keep the running lane clear of bicycles, vehicles, and non-participating pedestrians.
• Maintain an emergency lane for vehicles/bicycles; alert pedestrians and runners to approaching bicycles and vehicles in the emergency vehicle lane.
• Assist other park patrons in crossing the race course safely.
• Assist in cleaning and breakdown as needed.
• Call in medical emergencies; take note of your location (refer to the number on the nearest light pole) so that you can be exact if you need to make a medical call.

There is no specific dress code at our races. Our advice is to always dress for the weather. You will be provided with an orange vest, a laminated yellow card with emergency numbers on it, and a Frequently Asked Questions document.

NYRR strives to send an email thanking volunteers for their service by the Tuesday after the event has concluded, and it's a good idea to save this e-mail as proof of your volunteer service. If you do not receive a thank-you email by the end of the week, please contact vols@nyrr.org. Your member history will be updated to reflect your service early in the week following the event.