Why Volunteering at a Trail Race Matters More Than You Think
Trout Brook Volunteering
Trail races don’t happen on their own.
Behind every start line, every course marking, every aid station cup, some people choose to show up early, stay late, and help others move forward. Volunteers are not background characters in trail running. They are part of the experience.
For many people, volunteering at a race is their first connection to the trail running community. You don’t need to be racing. You don’t need a finish time. You just need a willingness to be present.
Volunteering gives you a front-row seat to the rhythm of race day. You see the early nerves at the start. The quiet determination mid-race. The relief and pride as runners come through an aid station or cross the finish line. You become part of someone else’s story, even if only for a moment.
There’s value in that.
Volunteers help shape the tone of a race. A clear direction at a trail junction. A calm voice when someone is tired. A smile when effort is catching up. These small moments matter more than most runners realize, and they often become the things people remember long after the race is over.
Volunteering also offers a different way to stay connected to running. Some volunteers are between training cycles. Some are recovering from injury. Others simply want to be involved without pinning on a bib. All are welcome, and all play a role.
At St. Croix Running Company events, volunteers are part of the community we’re building. They are trusted, appreciated, and essential. Whether you’re helping mark the course, working an aid station, or supporting runners at the finish, your presence helps create a race that feels organized, welcoming, and human.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be on the other side of the tape, volunteering is a meaningful place to start. You’ll leave tired, maybe a little muddy, and almost always glad you showed up.
Sometimes the most rewarding way to be part of a race is not by running it, but by helping others run theirs.
Sign up here for your favorite race: Willow, In Yan Teopa, Trout Brook, and Icebox