The Numbers role at parkrun is fairly simple, but does require someone with a steady hand and who is calm under pressure.
The Numbers volunteer can spend the first 15 minutes or so at parkrun simply clapping and encouraging parkunners. The Numbers role really comes into effect when the first runners finish their parkrun and continues until the last person finishes.
The Numbers volunteer will be given all the finish position tokens and it is their role to stand at the end of the finish funnel and hand out the finish position tokens, one each to each and every finisher. This sounds a pretty simple task and it is really, so long as you don't panic and can handle the tokens quickly and effectively.
It will not normally be possible to ensure that the finish position tokens are in the correct order whilst they are being handed out, as there simply isn't time. The Numbers role has to rely on the fact that the tokens have already been placed in the correct order.
The Numbers role is not normally responsible for ensuring that runners remain in the correct finishing order. The Funnel Manager would normally do this. Perhaps only at the smallest of parkrun events, where volunteer numbers do not allow a Funnel Manager, the Numbers role may also be asked to keep an eye on runners changing order.
The basics of handing out the finish position tokens is that every finisher that has done the run under their own steam should get a finish position token. They don't have to have run, they may have walked or hopped and skipped. Children and babies in buggies do not get a finish position but wheelchair users obviously do. The most important aspect of this is that the Timekeeper and Numbers roles must both use the same criteria to decide who gets a time and a token. This will ensure that the finish times and positions stay in sync. The Number Checker will be making constant checks to ensure that if and when the two get out of sync it is spotted as early as possible. Neither the Timekeeper or the Numbers role should ever attempt to correct out of sync problems during the run. This will be resolved during results processing by the Results Administrator.
There are often runners who decide that they do not want to take a finish position token. This can be for any number of reasons, perhaps not having their athlete barcode or not wanting the time after a bad run and many more reasons besides. In such cases, rather than dwelling on the fact, the Numbers role should simply pocket the finish position token and carry on to the next person and token. By pocketing the finish position token, it has been kept safe and will not have put the results out of sync as the finisher will still effectively have been given a finish position. If the Numbers role sees or is told of a runner ducking out of the funnel (Funnel Duckers), then the same process of pocketing the relevant finish position token will help to keep positions in sync.
The trickier aspects of this job are:
- readying batches of finish position tokens whilst also handing out earlier tokens (larger events often have a Numbers Assisstant to prepare batches of tokens for the Numbers role).
- coping with the fiddly tokens on cold days. Unfortunately gloves are not normally the answer, as the tokens become tricky to manipulate when wearing gloves. In the winter you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it. Fingerless gloves could be worth a shot.
- coping with the volume of finishers at the peak finish times. I have heard that at the largest parkrun of all (Bushy Park), there is a 10 minute period where they have close to 1 finisher per second. I'm sure you can imagine that handing out 600 tokens in 10 minutes is no mean feat!). Most parkruns do not see anything like this quantity of finishers, nevertheless there are times where the Numbers role has to work flat-out for a short period of time.
The best thing about this role is that you get to be the first to congratulate every single runner immediately after their run.
Showing posts with label parkrun roles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parkrun roles. Show all posts
Saturday, 22 December 2012
Monday, 17 December 2012
Volunteering at parkrun....the Funnel Manager
The Funnel Manager is basically in charge of overseeing everything that goes on in the finishing area.
This is very much an organisational role to ensure the smooth running of the finish area.
The main responsibilities of the Funnel Manager are:
- to ensure that finishers continue along the finish funnel, keeping the finish line clear for the next finishers. Some finishers may be exhausted, but all must be encouraged along the finish funnel as efficently as possible. The finish line must not be blocked.
- to ensure that finishers remain in the same order until the end of the finish funnel, where the finish position tokens will be handed out. The Funnel Manager will usually leave the runners to agree the order in which they finished, remembering that parkrun is a run and not a race and that those in a close finish will normally be given the same or similar time anyway.
- to ensure that every runner that crosses the finish line within the funnel is then kept inside the funnel until the end and takes a finish position token. Anyone ducking out of the finish funnel (known as "funnel duckers" - don't try saying that fast a few times in a row) and not taking a finish position token, could cause problems in the results. Runners should be encouraged to remain in the correct position in the funnel and take a finish position token. Should it not be possible to prevent a funnel ducker, the Funnel Manager can pocket the relevant finish position token for safekeeping.
Where the Numbers Assisstant role is not fullfilled, the Funnel Ducker can offer help to the Numbers role at busy periods. This could be to provide the next batch of finish position tokens. This help is particularly welcome during the colder winter months when the effect of the cold on the hands and fingers of the person in the Numbers role can make fiddly jobs quite tricky.
This is very much an organisational role to ensure the smooth running of the finish area.
The main responsibilities of the Funnel Manager are:
- to ensure that finishers continue along the finish funnel, keeping the finish line clear for the next finishers. Some finishers may be exhausted, but all must be encouraged along the finish funnel as efficently as possible. The finish line must not be blocked.
- to ensure that finishers remain in the same order until the end of the finish funnel, where the finish position tokens will be handed out. The Funnel Manager will usually leave the runners to agree the order in which they finished, remembering that parkrun is a run and not a race and that those in a close finish will normally be given the same or similar time anyway.
- to ensure that every runner that crosses the finish line within the funnel is then kept inside the funnel until the end and takes a finish position token. Anyone ducking out of the finish funnel (known as "funnel duckers" - don't try saying that fast a few times in a row) and not taking a finish position token, could cause problems in the results. Runners should be encouraged to remain in the correct position in the funnel and take a finish position token. Should it not be possible to prevent a funnel ducker, the Funnel Manager can pocket the relevant finish position token for safekeeping.
Where the Numbers Assisstant role is not fullfilled, the Funnel Ducker can offer help to the Numbers role at busy periods. This could be to provide the next batch of finish position tokens. This help is particularly welcome during the colder winter months when the effect of the cold on the hands and fingers of the person in the Numbers role can make fiddly jobs quite tricky.
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
parkrun Volunteering made simple...the Timekeeper
Being the Timekeeper at parkrun sounds ominous doesn't it. It's that role at parkrun that everyone seems to fear. But why?
I suppose there is a bit of pressure in this role. If everything were to go completely wrong then all the parkrunners could end up without a time. But, even then, looking on the bright side, they will still have had their parkrun, they will know their finish position and they will have had another parkrun finish to add towards their 10, 50, 100 or 250 club t-shirts.
But that really is the wrong way to look at the Timekeeper role. It is very rare for a Timekeeper to get things so wrong that no times are recorded. Minor mistakes such as too many or too few times being recorded are relatively simple to resolve at the time of processing the results.
So what does the Timekeeper role actually involve?
The Timekeeper carries out this role using the Timing device. I believe that there are more than one type of timing device in use at parkrun so the specifics may be a little different for each type. There is a little bit of set-up for the timing device, which the Run Director will always be able to help with. There are also good instructions available and these would be made availablle to the Timekeeper ahead of the run. There is normally plenty of time to digest and understand these instructions before the run.
With the timing device set up and ready to go, the Timekeeper will stand near the Run Director at the start line. The Run Director will ensure that the Timekeeper is ready before the "Ready...Go", or whatever method is used for starting the parkrun. At this point the Timekeeper will press the button on the Timing device to signify the start of the run.
The Timekeeper can then take around 15 minutes or so off, whilst waiting for the approach of the first finisher. Seriously though, the Timekeeper only needs to act a minute or so prior to the first finisher. At that time, the Timekeeper will plug the remote button (where available) into the timing device. This can be done earlier, but leaving it until a minute or two before the first finisher ensures less chance of an accidental button press or two. It is possible to use a button on the timing device, but the remote button is just a little easier to use.
The Timekeeper should then position themselves in line with the finish line ready for the runners to finish.
As each parkrunner crosses the line, the Timekeeper must then press the button to signify a finisher and enable the timing device to record a finish time. Each time is automatically associated with the corresponding finish position such that by the end of the run the timing device will have stored the finish time for each finish position.
When the earliest and latest runners are finishing, and at the smaller parkrun events, the Timekeeper has plenty of time to carry out this role accurately. However, at the busiest of parkrun events and at the most popular finish times, this task can be quite taxing. Some Timekeepers will look down and count pairs of feet, whilst others will look up and count heads. Do whatever works for you. The aim is to get one press per human finisher finishing under their own steam. Babies in buggies are not normally given their own time or finish position, but this could be different at each parkrun event. As long as the Timekeeper and the Numbers roles (giving out finish position tokens) stick to the same rules about who gets a time and finish position then it should all work out.
It is important to remember that the Number Checker and Funnel Management roles are in place specifically to notice when and where mistakes occur and this will usually allow these to be easily resolved when the results are processed. The Timekeeper just needs to concentrate on their own role and not worry about mistakes or trying to rectify them as this may cause trickier problems to resolve.
All in all the Timekeeper job is good fun, there is a little bit of pressure, but it is very rare for mistakes to be made that cannot be rectified pretty simply. So there is nothing to worry about. Put your name forward and give Timekeeping a go. If I can do it, then so can you!
I suppose there is a bit of pressure in this role. If everything were to go completely wrong then all the parkrunners could end up without a time. But, even then, looking on the bright side, they will still have had their parkrun, they will know their finish position and they will have had another parkrun finish to add towards their 10, 50, 100 or 250 club t-shirts.
But that really is the wrong way to look at the Timekeeper role. It is very rare for a Timekeeper to get things so wrong that no times are recorded. Minor mistakes such as too many or too few times being recorded are relatively simple to resolve at the time of processing the results.
So what does the Timekeeper role actually involve?
The Timekeeper carries out this role using the Timing device. I believe that there are more than one type of timing device in use at parkrun so the specifics may be a little different for each type. There is a little bit of set-up for the timing device, which the Run Director will always be able to help with. There are also good instructions available and these would be made availablle to the Timekeeper ahead of the run. There is normally plenty of time to digest and understand these instructions before the run.
With the timing device set up and ready to go, the Timekeeper will stand near the Run Director at the start line. The Run Director will ensure that the Timekeeper is ready before the "Ready...Go", or whatever method is used for starting the parkrun. At this point the Timekeeper will press the button on the Timing device to signify the start of the run.
The Timekeeper can then take around 15 minutes or so off, whilst waiting for the approach of the first finisher. Seriously though, the Timekeeper only needs to act a minute or so prior to the first finisher. At that time, the Timekeeper will plug the remote button (where available) into the timing device. This can be done earlier, but leaving it until a minute or two before the first finisher ensures less chance of an accidental button press or two. It is possible to use a button on the timing device, but the remote button is just a little easier to use.
The Timekeeper should then position themselves in line with the finish line ready for the runners to finish.
As each parkrunner crosses the line, the Timekeeper must then press the button to signify a finisher and enable the timing device to record a finish time. Each time is automatically associated with the corresponding finish position such that by the end of the run the timing device will have stored the finish time for each finish position.
When the earliest and latest runners are finishing, and at the smaller parkrun events, the Timekeeper has plenty of time to carry out this role accurately. However, at the busiest of parkrun events and at the most popular finish times, this task can be quite taxing. Some Timekeepers will look down and count pairs of feet, whilst others will look up and count heads. Do whatever works for you. The aim is to get one press per human finisher finishing under their own steam. Babies in buggies are not normally given their own time or finish position, but this could be different at each parkrun event. As long as the Timekeeper and the Numbers roles (giving out finish position tokens) stick to the same rules about who gets a time and finish position then it should all work out.
It is important to remember that the Number Checker and Funnel Management roles are in place specifically to notice when and where mistakes occur and this will usually allow these to be easily resolved when the results are processed. The Timekeeper just needs to concentrate on their own role and not worry about mistakes or trying to rectify them as this may cause trickier problems to resolve.
All in all the Timekeeper job is good fun, there is a little bit of pressure, but it is very rare for mistakes to be made that cannot be rectified pretty simply. So there is nothing to worry about. Put your name forward and give Timekeeping a go. If I can do it, then so can you!
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