High 5s all round

On a blustery Sunday morning, seven GoodGym Cardiff runners braved the elements to volunteer as a marshals at Cardiff Junior Parkrun. After managing to find eachother through their blurry tired Sunday morning eyes, they donned their high vis jackets and went to be allocated their roles.

Fiona was given bin duty at the top of a little hill around 50 meters from the start and finish line. She encouraged the runners up the hill and wished them well as they set of all smiling and happy. On their return however, she noted a contrast in some children who were now crying and struggling to finish. But Fiona was there to offer them a high 5 and tell them to run down the hill to the finish which brought about a sprint finish in some children - well done Fiona! Of all the GoodGym volunteers, Fiona was especially emotional in her role despite spending her working week as a teacher with children also … I think she will be there volunteering again soon!

Darren was given a marshal point at about three quarters of the way into the course - luckily for him in the sun! He did however have an eventful morning dealing with a couple of children who didn't feel very well but he handled it all like a pro - well done Darren!

Amy, Mikey and Lowri were sent to the cowbell stretch. And why is it called that you ask? Because this is the stretch of the course where the volunteers ring cowbells to encourage the runners of course. They had the runners pass them three times and handed out high 5s galore. Mikey described the whole experience as 'lovely'!

Lucy was given the marshal point at the hairpin turn by the playground. She resisted the urge to start playing on the swings and slide and instead set up the cones to mark out the turn. Once the runners got to her point on the course she clapped and cheered them but also warned them to slow down a little for the sharp turn so that there would be no fallers.

Nic had some confusion surrounding her role which seemed to have changed from the online rota she had seen. The race organiser soon sorted it out though and had her on her way to her marshal point. Nic is a seasoned pro at junior parkrun volunteering and she too high 5'd and cheered all the children taking part.

In what felt like a flash, it was all over and the tail walker had finished along with all the children and parents running. We all met by the finish to return our high vis jackets and talk about how we had got on. We all agreed it had been a touching and great experience and something we would all like to do again. Stu, the race organiser thanked us for our help and we told him how much we had enjoyed it too.

By now we were all getting rather cold so we headed off our separate ways... Lowri, Amy and Lucy on a run together, Mikey on a 15 mile jaunt and everyone else home to get warmed up! Well done all!