Organisers of a festival of running in Middlesbrough have put out a call for extra volunteers to help stage the event. Thousands of runners are expected to take to the streets for the 2026 Middlesbrough Runs on 29 and 30 August, which include the Middlesbrough 10K, Ali Brownlee 5K, and a debut in the town for Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track initiative. As with any major running event, an army of volunteers is required to support the core team, and there’s still time for people to sign up and play an important role at the end of the month.
The Middlesbrough Runs are being organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active. For the first time, the event will bring together the Middlesbrough 10K and Ali Brownlee 5K to be held on Sunday 30 August. The races will round of a weekend of running for participants of all ages, which will begin with Paula’s Families on Track on Saturday 29 August, at Middlesbrough Sports Village.
As organisers prepare for this year’s Middlesbrough Runs, they are recruiting additional volunteers to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience. The main opportunities are to support marshal points and radio marshal positions around the course on Sunday 30 August, which will also allow those helping to see the action unfold. Volunteers will also hand out medals to race finishers, witnessing their reactions after they cross the line.
Everyone who helps out will receive snacks and refreshments on the day, and as a thank you, each of them will get a complimentary entry to one Events of the North running event within the next 12 months (in Kielder, Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Worcester, and including next year’s Middlesbrough Runs). As an alternative, volunteers can claim a 50% discount for the company’s multi-sports events – The Northumbrian Triathlon or Kielder Duathlon. Events of the North also runs a payback schemes for youth organisations, charities and community groups, who are able to bring teams of over six or 10 in return for a donation (instead of complimentary race entries).
Over the years, Events of the North has recruited many volunteers at individual races who have gone on to help out at the company’s other events around the country. As well as returning to assist again and again, the expertise and experience that some of the volunteers has gained has enabled them to secure roles at other major national and international sports events, including the recent Commonwealth Games and European Athletics Championships.
Helen Sherratt is a regular volunteer for Events of the North and will be in Middlesbrough later this month. Helen explains why it’s such a rewarding and important part of her life: “I first volunteered when I saw an advert asking for helpers for the inaugural Worcester City Runs, and as someone who is passionate about the city, I wanted to be part of putting on a great event here. The next year, I went back for more and that was just the start. I soon started volunteering at other Events of the North races around the country and I have had many roles over the years, ranging from organising the parking to handing out medals.
“Events of the North suggested that I would also get involved in other major events, such as national and international championships. After applying to UK Athletics, I found myself in even more roles at British and global events, indoors and outdoors, and I’ve most recently been working on the medal ceremonies at the European Athletics Championships, which has been really interesting and exciting.
“I always say that I get so much more out of volunteering than I give. As well as being lucky to work on all these events, it has given me the opportunity to do something completely different from my day job, along with the chance to have new experiences and meet many lovely people, a large number who are now close friends.”
Middlesbrough Runs race director Steve Cram comments: “As with any major event, we couldn’t stage the Middlesbrough Runs without our brilliant volunteers. Bringing together the Middlesbrough 10K, Ali Brownlee 5K and Paula’s Families on Track into one weekend will create a really big occasion and a fantastic atmosphere, but that does mean that we need a little extra help, so we’re asking for more local people and community organisations to get involved. We’ll be welcoming some of our regular volunteers from events that we stage elsewhere who love being part of them and want to help in Boro, and it will be great to see them working alongside adults and youngsters from the local community.”
Individuals or organisations who are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Middlesbrough Runs can get in touch by email at volunteers@eventsofthenorth.com
Places at the Middlesbrough Runs can be booked at www.eventsofthenorth.com/event/middlesbrough-runs/
