“They work in the race office and depot, ensure safety along the route, staff the refreshment stations, and welcome runners at the finish line with wide smiles and loud cheers.
Who are we talking about? About volunteers! We have important information for you regarding volunteering at the running events organized by us – on May 1, 2024 (Heroes’ Run, Silesia Half Marathon) and on October 6, 2024 (Silesia Marathon, Silesia Half Marathon, and Silesia Ultramarathon).”
If you have ever participated in our races, you probably know how crucial volunteers are to their organization. Did you know that we engage as many as 650 volunteers to support the marathon?
You meet them at every step: in the race office they hand out your race packet, at the refreshment stations they provide you with water and snacks, they motivate you in difficult moments and give you strength when you need it most. Always with a smile, with great dedication, ready to act. Without volunteers, there would be no marathon, half marathon, ultra race, or even a 5K. Their presence turns the races into not just sporting events, but above all, social gatherings.
For many years, we have collaborated with the Regional Volunteer Center in Katowice on organizing volunteer efforts for the Silesia Marathon. It was RCW that handled communication and coordinated the volunteers’ tasks. We have learned a great deal from our partnership with RCW and together, we have established standards that have elevated volunteerism at the Silesia Marathon to the top of such events in the region. RCW Katowice – thank you for all these years!
The time has come for a new challenge. We are expanding and growing our team. We have made the decision that in this year’s editions of the races – both in May and October – we will take on the role of volunteer organizers ourselves. Volunteers can expect streamlined communication, direct engagement from our organizing team, and a continued commitment to ensuring a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
The change primarily concerns formalities: it will be the Silesia Pro Active Foundation that will conduct the recruitment of volunteers, prepare agreements, and oversee the race operations.
“We have engaged Milena Skupień-Lisgarten as the volunteer coordinator for direct communication and collaboration with volunteers. Milena has organized volunteer efforts at events such as the Men’s European Handball Championships, the COP 24 Climate Conference, and the 2023 European Games. She has been familiar with our running events since 2016.
We are confident that together we will organize a volunteer program that will not only ensure the highest quality of service to the runners but also provide valuable experiences, new connections, and great satisfaction to the volunteers themselves.
All those interested in volunteering are invited to follow our website and social media channels. In the coming days, we will launch the official recruitment process!