
volunteer roles
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volunteer roles *
The Hackney Moves Festival 2025, featuring the Schools' Challenge, a free 5K on Saturday, and the sold-out Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon on Sunday.
Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the success of these events, and there are various roles available across both days to suit different interests and availabilities.
Scroll down to see the roles or SIGN UP now
Volunteer as a Group!
Calling sports groups and youth clubs
We’re looking for groups to join us as volunteers. Whether you're a youth club, running group, cadets, scouts, or sports club, we’d love to have you!
We'll work with you to find the perfect role, like manning an Aid Station or another vital support task.
Bonus: We’ll donate £40 per volunteer as a thank-you—an easy way to fundraise for club activities or branding.
Interested? Email volunteers@motivsports.co.uk to register your group today!
View Tube Runners manning an Aid Station at the Hackney Half Marathon 2024
INDIVIDUAL volunteer roles
Friday 16th May
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15:00 - 19:00
Responsibilities:
Distributing race numbers to participants using iPads.
Assigning and recording runner numbers as needed.
Providing information to runners and spectators about the festival.
Maintaining cleanliness in the area.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable demeanor.
Confidence in using an iPad.
Good communication skills.
Saturday 17th May
Schools Challenge & 5K Roles
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Shift 1: 8:00 - 13:00
Shift 2: 12:00 - 17:00
Responsibilities:
Distributing race numbers to participants using iPads.
Assigning and recording runner numbers as needed.
Providing information to runners and spectators about the festival.
Maintaining cleanliness in the area.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable demeanor.
Confidence in using an iPad.
Good communication skills.
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Shift Time: 8:00 - 12:00
Sign-in Support:
Help with checking in the school kids at the event registration tables.
Ensure all participants have the necessary race materials (e.g., race numbers, wristbands).
Start and Finish Support:
Assist with organizing kids at the starting line.
Help guide participants at the finish, ensuring a safe and smooth finish experience.
Marshalling on the Route:
Stand at assigned positions along the route.
Provide direction and encouragement to participants.
Ensure the safety of all kids by monitoring for any issues or emergencies.
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If you’re a cyclist and interested in volunteering at the Schools Challenge or 5K on Saturday, here are the details for the cycling roles:
Lead Cyclist
Responsibilities:
Ride ahead of the lead runner to clear the path and ensure the course is safe.
Use a radio to communicate with the event team about any potential issues.
Will receive ongoing support from the wider team.
Skills:
Good awareness of surroundings and ability to handle a bike confidently in crowds.
Clear communication skills.
Sweep Cyclist:
Responsibilities:
Stay with the last runner to ensure they have a safe and supported experience.
Communicate with Event Control to provide updates on the location and welfare of the last participant.
Offer encouragement to slower runners and monitor for any issues along the course
Will receive ongoing support from the wider team.
Skills:
Patience and empathy, as you may be with participants who need extra support.
Good communication and ability to stay calm under pressure.
Requirements:
Your own bike (in good working condition).
Comfort riding in a public event environment.
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Shift Time: 10:30 - 17:00
Responsibilities:
Greeting runners and accepting their bags.
Placing bags in the correct sections of the bag drop area.
Returning bags to runners post-race.
Skills Needed:
Friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic attitude.
Ability to work as part of a team.
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Shift time: 10:30 - 17:00
Start Line Assistance:
Help ensure participants are in the correct start pens according to their wave and bib
Maintain an organised, safe, and smooth flow as each wave begins.
Provide information to participants if needed (e.g., directions or wave timing).
Finish Line Assistance:
Manage the flow of runners after they cross the finish line to prevent congestion.
Guide runners to the exit or medal collection area promptly.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable personality.
Ability to stay on your feet for long periods.
Clear communication to ensure a smooth race experience.
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Shift Time: 11:00 - 17:00
Rewards Distribution:
Hand out medals to all finishers with enthusiasm and congratulations.
Be prepared for high energy and lots of smiles at the finish!
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable personality.
Ability to stay on your feet for long periods.
Clear communication to ensure a smooth race experience.
sunday 18th may
Wizz Air Hackney Half Roles
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Shift Time: 6:30 - 11:00
Responsibilities:
Distributing race numbers to participants using iPads.
Assigning and recording runner numbers as needed.
Providing information to runners and spectators about the festival.
Maintaining cleanliness in the area.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable demeanor.
Confidence in using an iPad.
Good communication skills.
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This role is essential to creating a smooth, organised, and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the Hackney Moves Festival
Shift Times: Various starting from 6:30 AM (specific times available on the registration form).
Greeting and Information:
Act as the first point of contact for runners and spectators.
Provide a friendly and helpful atmosphere at the event.
Share essential information about race logistics and direct people to key locations (e.g., baggage area, start line).
Providing Directions:
Guide participants and spectators along the planned arrival routes to ensure they get where they need to go efficiently.
Help maintain smooth flow through entrances and key event zones.
Answering Questions:
Be ready to answer any questions about the event schedule, race details, and nearby amenities.
Stay informed about event changes or updates.
Crowd Monitoring:
Monitor crowd flow and identify any potential bottlenecks or issues.
Report any crowd control concerns or incidents to Event Control.
Transport Assistance:
Advise runners and spectators about public transport options for leaving the event area.
Offer directions to transport stations or shuttle pick-up points.
Skills Needed:
Friendly, approachable personality with strong communication skills.
Quick thinking to answer questions and provide directions accurately.
Situational awareness to monitor crowd movement and potential issues.
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This role is all about creating a high-energy, positive environment at the start and finish of the race! 🎉
Shift Times: 7:00 - 13:00
Start Line Assistance:
Ensure participants are in the correct start pens before their race begins.
Help maintain order and organization to ensure a smooth start for each wave of runners.
Finish Line Assistance:
Monitor the flow of runners crossing the finish line to prevent crowding or congestion.
Guide runners away from the finish area promptly to ensure smooth transitions for the next finishers.
Participant Encouragement:
Cheer on and support runners as they pass through the course! Your energy and encouragement can make a huge difference to participants.
Be a positive presence, lifting the spirits of both runners and spectators.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and enthusiastic personality.
Ability to stay on your feet for the duration of the shift.
Quick thinking to manage and adapt to race flow.
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Shift Time: 8:00 - 14:30
Medal Distribution:
Hand out medals to all finishers with enthusiasm and congratulations.
Be prepared for high energy and lots of smiles at the finish!
Help re-stock as the day goes on and keep the flow of runners moving
Volunteers will also be looking out for anyone that may need medical assistance and alerting their supervisor.
Skills Needed:
Friendly and approachable personality.
Ability to stay on your feet for long periods.
Clear communication to ensure a smooth race experience.
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Shift Times: 8:00 - 14:00
At the heart of the event - keeping an eye on the runners are the course Marshals.
There are 6 sectors on the route and our volunteer marshals are fully supported by an experienced team of staff on each sector.
The main role of the course marshals is to provide assistance to runners where needed spotting any issues before they arise, but also engaging with the public and helping with key event information.
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Shift Time Lead Cyclist: 7:30 - 13:30
Shift Time Sweep Cyclist: 8:30 - 14:30
Both these roles require you to have your own bike.
LEAD CYCLISTS - will lead the race and stay with their allocated runner. The cyclists are fully supported by members of the event team who will communicate with them via radio.
SWEEP CYCLISTS - staying with the participants at the rear of the event, supporting them with directions and safety. Patience and sympathy may be required.
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Shift Times: 7:00 - 13:30
There are 6 Aid Stations along the route located at the following addresses:
Aid Station 1 - Outside 122 Amhurst Road,
Aid Station 2 - Outside Graham Mansions, Graham Road, London, E8 1EY
Aid Station 3 - Outside Belford House, Queensbridge Road, London, E8 4SG
Aid Station 4 - Junction of Pritchards Road with Marion Place, E2 9AS
Aid Station 5 - Mare St (starting at the junction with Tudor Rd, E8 3SG)
Aid Station 6 - Wick Lane, (Under A12), E3 2LB
We reserve the Aid Stations for our Volunteer Groups as we require them to be staffed by 35 - 40 volunteers at least.
If you are interested in registering a group and volunteering together at an Aid Station or sharing with another group, please get in touch at volunteers@motivsports.co.uk.
This is a great way to raise funds as we are offering a donation of £40 per volunteer to the group.