The Phantom Run 2025

Volunteering is an important role for any trail race. You are the “face” of the race, supporting the racers through all aspects of the race, as well as being good Trail Whisperer ambassadors for spectators, other volunteers and the public. This is why you will receive a ton of appreciation from race organizers and racers alike! To be a great volunteer, you will:

• Review the racecourse.
• Read and follow all volunteer information/instructions and ask questions if you are not sure of something.
• Arrive and check-in at your scheduled time.
• Be prepared for changing weather conditions.
• Bring a snack or lunch and water, as you may be out on course for awhile.
• Be ready to cheer on all racers (as if we must tell you that!)
• Provide any feedback following the race on where we can make improvements for racers and volunteers.

Volunteers will receive finish line food, 50% off one of the north shore races in the next calendar year and a whole bunch of appreciation!

Thanks for volunteering!!

We will do our best to place you in the volunteer position of your choice. You may select several positions, but if you have a preference, please note it in the additional comments questions.

Details on each volunteer position is noted below. Some positions such as Race Rangers, Course Marking and Course Pre-Sweeps will need a good familiarity/understanding of the race course/trails and may require previous experience.

If you have any questions, please email Cindy at dirtyduo@trailwhispererbc.ca .

Course marking volunteers lay out all the course flagging and signs for each race event one to two days prior to race day. We have a core of volunteers who are eligible to volunteer for this role. If you would like to join this group and help with course marking you will need to have an excellent knowledge of the north shore trails, be able to dedicate 4 to 5 hours to complete your section and be able to read and follow instructions well.

Course pre-sweeps head out in the dark, early hours of race day and check that the course flagging and signs are in place correctly. If flagging has been moved or removed, they will replace it. Trail Whisperer north shore races are always looking for new additions to their team of course pre-sweep volunteers. If you would like to become a course pre-sweep, you must be an experienced trail runner, comfortable running in the dark, know the north shore trails very well and understand the importance of a properly marked course.

These volunteers will start early and help to unload supplies and equipment and assemble the start/finish area before race registration opens. After unloading the truck, you will help set up tents, tables, finishline arch, and move supplies to their respective locations. Take down is the reverse that is done at the end of the race. You can volunteer for both or setup or takedown.

These volunteers assist with package pickup at the Running Room North Vancouver on the Friday before race day. You will arrive at 4:30 pm to set up. Package Pickup begins at 5pm until 7pm.

These volunteers assist with package pickup and racer check-in the morning of the race. They may also help with handing out swag and Dry Bag drop-off. There will be a Captain in charge of this station who will organize the volunteers. Note: we sometimes have an afternoon shift for the Dry Bag pickup, so if you do not want to come too early this might be for you.

Volunteers at this station assist in preparing food for the racers. You will help with setting up the food station, pre-cutting fruit, pickles, bakery products, making coffee and heating the soup. You will monitor the food station, refill food, keep things tidy and help with packing up. This station also has a Captain who will direct volunteers.

Start/Finish Area general help may be asked to do a variety of things from assisting with set-up, unpacking medals, dry bag pickup, releaving at the food station, marshaling near the finish/start area, packing up or assisting the Race Director with various tasks. For longer races there may be afternoon shifts.

These volunteers will assist in setting up the finisher medals and will assist the TW owner in handing out medals as racers cross the finish line. These volunteers may be asked to assist with other duties by the Race Directors during set-up of the start/finish area.

The volunteers that racers love to see on course! So does the Race Director! There is a variety of marshal positions - hiking required, no hiking, racer direction control (e.g., 25K that way, 15K this way), traffic control (helping racers cross a road), or parking control (for some races). If a position is very long, we will try to break it into morning and afternoon shifts. Let us know if you can't help until later in the morning.

Aid station consist of a team of volunteers. Volunteers set up tent and table with hydration and fuel for the racers on course. Aid stations usually have a marshal nearby. Between the marshal and aid station, racer bibs are crossed off a prepared racer bib sheet as racers pass the aid station. Aid stations will have a radio and contact the finish line or their race ranger if a racer needs to pull out of the race (and needs a ride back to finish line). You will receive lots of informatioin for this station before race day.

Sweeps for the north shore races take down all the course flagging and signs as they run behind the last racer in their assigned event. They will also radio if a racer needs assistance or is pulling out of the race. Sweeps will have a radio for communicating with race rangers and finish line.

A Race Ranger is available from the early hours of start/finish area setup until take down is complete and all supplies/equipment are back in storage. A Race Ranger takes responsiblity for a section of the course which usually includes an aid station. They will transport volunteers, drop off/pick up aid station supplies, set up race in progress signs, transport racers who have pulled out of the race back to the finish line, and generally help with whatever is needed. A truck is necessary for transporting supplies. Race Rangers usually volunteer at 2-3 of the north shore races. If you would like to join this group, sign up here and we will be in touch.

This volunteer will be located at the finish line. They will be qualified/certified to administer first aid to any racer who requires attention. All first aid supplies will be provided.