Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!
This was something I saw over the weekend at the 36-hour ultra marathon (with distances from 12 miles to 100 miles) that I have the blessing of directing. I can't tell you how many of the finishers paid a debt of gratitude to the amazing people who stepped up to work aid stations, assist at packet pickup, and came out to encourage the runners. Volunteering has that power!
But did you know that volunteering is also good for the one doing it? It's true!
Volunteering does far more than just support a good cause—it actively reshapes and protects your brain.
When you give your time to others, your brain enters a rewarding state often called the "helper’s high," triggering a powerful release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
This chemical cocktail naturally lifts your mood, strengthens social bonds, and lowers cortisol, effectively shielding your nervous system from the damaging effects of chronic stress.
Furthermore, diving into new volunteer environments challenges your mind to build fresh neural pathways, while the deep sense of purpose it provides serves as a psychological anchor.
For older adults, this combination of mental engagement, emotional fulfillment, and consistent social interaction acts as a shield against cognitive decline, significantly preserving memory and reducing the risk of dementia.
With that being said, I will tell you that we had volunteers that stepped up for one or more shifts of 2-4 hours or more and even had volunteers that stayed onsite to help the entire time! At the end, they all agreed that they had tired hands but happy hearts!
So, if this has your interest piqued, I have a great opportunity for you! Run the Rock is coming up at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, Missouri, on September 12 and this is a perfect opportunity to experience a race from the other side of the course.
To further inspire you to volunteer, check out these other great reasons that volunteering at a race can be just as fun as participating in the race:
You Can be a Part of the Race Without Running the Race
We tend to think participation means putting on a bib and crossing the starting line. It doesn't.
The person handing a runner a cup of water is participating.
The volunteer helping with packet pickup is participating.
The course marshal pointing runners in the right direction is participating.
The person standing along the course yelling, "You've got this!" may be participating more than they realize.
Every one of those people becomes part of a runner's race-day story.
And at a challenging event like Run the Rock, those volunteers can make an enormous difference.
Aid Station Volunteers Are a Welcome Sight
Ask any runner who has struggled through a difficult race what it feels like to see an aid station ahead.
It's a beautiful sight!
Sometimes that cup of water is exactly what you need. Sometimes it's the smile that comes with it.
An aid station volunteer may only interact with a runner for a few seconds, but those few seconds can provide encouragement at exactly the right time. When runners are hot, tired and questioning why they thought this was a good idea, hearing someone say, "You're doing great!" can give them the little mental boost they need to keep moving.
You aren't just handing out water.
You're handing out encouragement.
Packet Pickup Lets You Share in the Excitement
Packet pickup is one of my favorite parts of the pre-race experience because everyone walks in carrying a mixture of excitement and nerves.
For some runners, Run the Rock may be another challenge in a long list of races. For others, it may be completely outside their comfort zone.
The volunteer who greets them, finds their bib and answers a question helps set the tone for their entire experience.
A friendly face can turn nervousness into excitement.
And if you're a runner yourself, packet pickup gives you the opportunity to talk with other runners, hear their stories and share in that wonderful anticipation that happens before a race begins.
Course Marshals Are Cheerleaders With Directions
Run the Rock isn't your average road race.
The course at Top of the Rock challenges runners with hills and a variety of surfaces while rewarding them with incredible scenery, including waterfalls, a cave and beautiful overlooks.
That means course volunteers have an especially important job.
A course marshal helps runners know where they're going, keeps them moving in the right direction and provides encouragement along the way.
You might think you're simply standing at an intersection pointing to the right.
The runner approaching you may see something entirely different:
A friendly face. A sign that they're still on course. And someone who believes they can finish.
Never underestimate the power of cheering for a tired runner.
Volunteering Makes You a Better Runner
One of the greatest benefits of volunteering is gaining a completely different perspective on racing.
When you're racing, your world becomes pretty small. You're thinking about your pace, breathing, nutrition, legs, watch and finish time.
When you volunteer, you get to watch the entire race unfold.
You see the front runners.
You see the middle of the pack.
You see the person who is struggling but refuses to quit.
You see experienced runners encouraging beginners.
You see people accomplishing something they weren't sure they could do.
Watching those moments can remind you why you started running in the first place.
It can also teach you a lot. You notice how runners approach aid stations, how they handle difficult sections of a course and how different people respond when things get tough.
Sometimes standing on the sidelines makes you a better runner the next time you're on the course.
You Become Part of Someone Else's Finish
As a race director, I've learned that runners remember volunteers.
They remember the person who filled their bottle.
They remember the person who made them laugh.
They remember the course marshal who told them the hard part was almost over.
They remember the stranger who yelled their name when they desperately needed encouragement.
A volunteer may go home thinking, I just handed out water today.
Meanwhile, a runner goes home thinking, That volunteer at the aid station helped me keep going.
That's pretty powerful.
It's a Great Way to Give Back to the Running Community
If you've run very many races, you've benefited from volunteers countless times.
Someone filled your cup.
Someone handed you your bib.
Someone placed your medal around your neck.
Someone directed you through an intersection.
Someone stood outside early in the morning—or late into the day—so you could chase a goal.
Volunteering is our opportunity to return the favor.
Running communities don't become strong because of races alone. They become strong because people show up for one another.
And It's Just Plain Fun
There is also a much simpler reason to volunteer:
Race day is fun!
You get the excitement without worrying about your pace.
You meet runners.
You meet other volunteers.
You laugh.
You cheer.
You watch people accomplish hard things.
And you usually leave feeling like you received every bit as much as you gave.
And there you have it friends. Volunteering from time to time is a win/win for everyone! So help out at Run the Rock if you can. And if you can't, find another opportunity to be a blessing to someone else and go volunteer. You'll be so glad you did!
There is also a much simpler reason to volunteer:
Race day is fun!
You get the excitement without worrying about your pace.
You meet runners.
You meet other volunteers.
You laugh.
You cheer.
You watch people accomplish hard things.
And you usually leave feeling like you received every bit as much as you gave.
Happy Running!
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