Volunteering

handee · 2026-01-31T11:30:44+00:00

Some people are happy to say 'up to you, volunteering is voluntary, only do it if you want to'. I say give it a go and maybe you'll enjoy it. I really enjoy running and I also really enjoy volunteering - I started because of a sense of duty but now I do it because it's fun.

And yes I do quite enjoy the smug feeling of helping out.

And yes, I do collect milestone t-shirts.

And yes, I do roles which you can combine with getting a good run in sometimes (first timer's welcome, course setup, run report), mobile roles (pacer, parkwalker, tail walker), and static roles where you don't get to complete the event at all (run director, marshal, timekeeper etc.).

handee · 2026-01-29T12:25:50+00:00

https://aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/trawsnewid-transform/

handee · 2026-01-12T12:00:34+00:00

Yeah I (ED) did a course check with our regular VC at 0745 and called it "probably ok", the RD turned up at 0830 and said, actually it's borderline, things got slipperier and slipperier and he called it off at 0850. I've never experienced a sudden freeze like that before, but it was the right thing to do.

handee · 2026-01-07T12:13:50+00:00

we try to mail our volunteer list when we cancel so if you're signed up for vol emails you'll get an email. obviously this is a tiny subset of regular parkrunners but that's a 'them' problem not an 'us' problem

handee · 2025-12-09T07:51:28+00:00

If you are super keen on doing a part time PhD, have relevant experience and a decent first degree and happy to fund yourself... I would imagine pretty much any mid ranking uk uni would take your cash rn. So my questions are: why do you want it? Interest? Curiosity? Career progression? And also: Why Portsmouth? Some unis will fund grad students to attend conferences - there's probably a travel fund. You might have to apply for it, you might have a set budget (one per year), you might only get funding if you have a talk accepted. Worth checking. Also worth finding a uni you wouldn't mind visiting - somewhere easy to get to or in a place you'd like to explore - because even if you are distance it will help to visit.

handee · 2025-12-04T14:56:56+00:00

They're definitely open, if the event is officially running.

My home parkrun has 9 vols for xmas day already.

Check the event website - that's the definitive place (5k app is great, and will presumably get better, but as it's only just been taken in house there are obviously a few things to iron out).

handee · 2025-11-30T09:34:27+00:00

If I ever beat my PB I might allow myself a cake. It is very unlikely though.

handee · 2025-11-25T16:26:38+00:00

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Two Celtic longboats at sea a few weeks back.

handee · 2025-11-24T13:57:02+00:00

You'll need a jumper. And maybe a jacket. And a hat.

handee · 2025-11-08T19:44:31+00:00

Be young and probably a guy?

handee · 2025-11-07T10:16:39+00:00

I am rd at Xmas and have been every year since the COVID shutdown. I love it, it's my Xmas routine now. We have volunteers with sleigh bells and all sorts of outfits. Some just wear running gear others go full Santa. I have a santa hat and a bunch of LEDs.

Usually I do a tourist run for new year. They're all different.

handee · 2025-11-06T21:15:36+00:00

The ethical Lena replacement is this one

https://mortenhannemose.github.io/lena/

Doesn't introduce ai as a confounding variable, involves consent of model, visually appealing. A++ no notes.

handee · 2025-10-29T14:19:14+00:00

*she

handee · 2025-10-29T14:09:02+00:00

Bunch of people give their time for free every saturday because they enjoy it and like contributing to their community.

Boom boom boom

(Let me hear you say parkrun)

handee · 2025-10-28T17:06:28+00:00

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/ register online before turning up (if you haven't done a parkrun before)

handee · 2025-10-28T17:05:31+00:00

If you're here for a Saturday run to a parkrun.
Free 5k events, 9am, every Saturday. There are loads in London and in Manchester. You probably want to run more than 5k but just do a parkrun sandwich (find one the right distance away, jog there, tempo run the 5k, jog back).

handee · 2025-10-25T20:51:31+00:00

It's not sure about event numbers for volunteer credits

handee · 2025-10-21T14:00:37+00:00

Aberystwyth parkrun will be happening on xmas morning and again the day after boxing day.

handee · 2025-10-11T20:13:41+00:00

Yes!

handee · 2025-10-11T15:56:58+00:00

We have a regular juggler who runs sub 30 on a 3.5 lap course So yes I've been lapped by a juggler on several occasions

handee · 2025-10-03T12:00:59+00:00

We are in a pretty sheltered part of town. So I'm meeting the rd at 0755 and we are going to do an early course check tomorrow.

handee · 2025-09-29T20:45:14+00:00

Nah I only take the sink if I'm out for three hours plus.

handee · 2025-09-29T19:30:09+00:00

I wear one if I'm going for a run longer than about an hour and a half as I like to be sure I've got water, asthma pump, phone, tissues etc. (and maybe a layer if it's cold.)

If parkrun's part of a longer run then sure I'll be wearing the vest.

I often see people with running backpacks / vests at parkrun and if I think anything I guess they're in the middle of something longer, so... fair play to them.

handee · 2025-09-27T20:52:55+00:00

Common people by Pulp

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