Join the Spine Family
We’re always looking for volunteers to come and join the Spine family. Whether you’re interested in helping at the checkpoints, gaining insights into the race, joining the safety, logistics or HQ teams, then you’ve come to the right place.
Join Our Spine Race Volunteer Team!
Ready to be part of the heart and soul of the Spine Race? You can sign up as a volunteer by taking a few moments to complete our application form. We offer diverse roles, which include Check Points, Safety, Logistics, and Race HQ, giving you the chance to pick an area that interests you most.
Volunteering is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the race atmosphere. Whether you aspire to participate in the future, want to give back after completing an event, or simply wish to support the incredible ‘dots’ everyone follows during the race, your involvement matters!
To show our appreciation, volunteers receive a range of perks, including entry discounts, agreed-upon travel expense coverage, event memorabilia, accommodation, and meals. Plus, volunteers can enter a lottery for a chance to win entry into the next edition of the races they support. In addition, committing to 5 days or more earns you a limited edition event merchandise item as well!
Thank you for lending your support to our event. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to the Spine family soon
SPINE SAFETY TEAM (SST) OVERVIEW
The SSTs aim is to provide on-course safety cover during the events. This is primarily a vehicle based & outdoor role and we recommend a decent level of physical fitness & outdoor experience. Members of the SST are expected to bring appropriate clothing and equipment with them suitable for the conditions. A suggested kit list will be made available prior to the event.
The primary expectations of the SST are to monitor athlete progress at pre-determined locations such as road heads (where the trail crosses), to sweep the course in sections or to safely establish a position on the route and provide support from here.
The SST (when possible) will monitor potential hazards and obstacles in advance of competitor arrival and are expected to communicate this with the on-duty SST Coordinator/ Race HQ to reduce potential risk to our clients; respective of the challenging nature of the event and the experience level of the participants.
The SST may also be expected to carry items such as water or food/ snacks for distribution to our competitors.
Accommodation for the SST typically involves camping (in summer only), staying in camping barns, bunk houses, or using floorspace in village halls. Camping gear, eg sleeping mats or camp beds will be necessary at most rest locations.
If you are happy and insured to use your vehicle during a voluntary role, please mark that below. If in doubt, please mark “”no vehicle”” and we will pair you with someone who does.
Races run 24-hours per day. If you mark yourself “available” for a date, the earliest your shift might start could be 00.01h, meaning you’d need to leave home to travel to the race the evening before your first shift. Similarly, your last shift could finish as late as midnight, so you might not be able to travel home until the morning of the next day. Please avoid marking yourself as “available” for duties if you will need to travel on that date.
Those applying to join the SSTs (Spine Safety Teams) can expect the following process:
On application – you will receive an automated acknowledgement of your application 3 months before the event: Introduction to your SST Coordinator, an initial briefing and kit list with a broad overview of the event. You’ll be told which days we are asking you to attend. If the event is oversubscribed, we will tell you if you are on a waiting list to join SST, or if there is no realistic likelihood of your application being accepted this year.
In the run up to the event. Your SST Coordinator will stay in touch with you are the rest of your team to arrange lifts, kit sharing and answer questions.
14-7 days before the event. You’ll receive a final detailed briefing with specific information about logistics and your activities.
CHECKPOINT (CP) OVERVIEW
Checkpoint Volunteering: What to Expect
Your initial contact will be with one of our Checkpoint Leads, Nicki Lygo or Anne Marie Lord, who coordinate the volunteer rotas for winter and summer respectively.
There is an expectation that you respond to communications with regard to your role and we ask that you regularly check your emails, including spam/junk folders
Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll communicate directly with your specific Checkpoint Managers, via WhatsApp and/or email.
Your booking will be based on your availability and your location. We aim to staff each checkpoint venue with the same volunteers from start to finish. Some locations towards the south of the course are open for less than 2 days, and others further north are open for up to 6 days. Your commitment will typically involve staying at the checkpoint location for the duration of your booking, including meals and overnight accommodation.
Due to the continuous nature of the event, your work will involve both day and night shifts, which can be demanding, especially during peak athlete arrival times. While we strive to provide a structured rota, flexibility is essential due to unpredictable athlete arrivals and weather conditions.
Checkpoint Locations
There are numerous checkpoints along the route, including facilities at the start and finish. These locations include:
- Edale
- Hebden Bridge
- Hawes / Hardraw
- Langdon Beck / Middleton-in-Teesdale
- Alston
- Bellingham
- Byrness (Monitoring station in Winter only)
- Kirk Yetholm
Please note that specific facilities will vary between checkpoints and seasons. You will need to bring your own sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow and, whilst we strive to offer crew a bed for rest times, you may need to sleep on the floor at busy times. Some of our summer venues involve camping and your CP manager will specify what equipment you need to bring.
Checkpoint Responsibilities
Your responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Setting up the checkpoint
- Cooking athlete or crew meals
- Cleaning the CP
- Moving athlete bags
- Documenting arrival and departure times
- Meeting athletes
- Checking kit in and out of checkpoints
- Troubleshooting small problems
We usually receive considerably more volunteer applications than we have volunteer spaces, so applying early and detailing your previous experience is key to obtaining a volunteer slot.
Thanks for applying!
EVENT LOGISTICS (LOG) OVERVIEW
The Logistics Team (LT) plays a crucial role in meticulously documenting the seamless movement and transportation of competitor resupply bags from one Checkpoint (CP) to another. Our primary objective is to ensure that each resupply bag reaches the designated CP ahead of the respective competitor.
This responsibility involves closely monitoring the progress of athletes and strategically scheduling the transport of their resupply bags. It is imperative that the bags arrive in advance of the competitor at any given CP. The LT is tasked with recording all movements of baggage and noting the corresponding vehicles they are placed within.
In addition to the core role, the Logistics Team may undertake secondary responsibilities, such as the transportation or redistribution of signage, CP equipment, CP errands (time allowing), or other large items that are challenging to transport in smaller vehicles. For efficient navigation, the LT Manager will provide recommended routes to our CPs, along with site addresses and contacts.
In the event of adverse weather conditions or challenging road conditions, the LT is expected to promptly communicate with Race HQ, providing a comprehensive assessment of their situation. This proactive approach ensures effective coordination and adaptability to unforeseen challenges, maintaining the smooth execution of the event logistics.
Manual lifting is required.
RACE HQ (HQ) OVERVIEW
The Race Headquarters (HQ) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless operation and optimal performance of events. Its primary objective is to deliver continuous monitoring, round-the-clock call management, timely race updates, real-time athlete status updates, and active participation in overseeing and managing racing incidents. Moreover, the Race HQ is tasked with facilitating the allocation of racing resources as needed.
Utilising tools, such as the live GPS tracking system, the HQ collaborates with the wider SUPPORT TEAM to ensure the smooth execution of the event. All incoming calls and communications related to racing incidents are logged electronically, with subsequent follow-up actions as required.
The Race HQ is responsible for handling calls associated with the enforcement of Race Rules, ensuring quick and easy access to these rules when needed. Additionally, any calls concerning competitor safety must be thoroughly documented and promptly forwarded to the on-duty Spine Safety Team Coordinator (SSTC). While emergency calls fall under the view of the SSTC, a certain level of overlap is expected.
In dealing with calls from competitors or support staff, the HQ is expected to communicate in a composed and effective manner, delivering clear instructions and guidance. In the case of significant incidents or injuries, direct liaison with the Race Directors is imperative.
The HQ Team may also be called upon to support the Public Relations Team in managing our social media output, adhering to our communication guidelines.