Volunteer Now, Northern Ireland’s lead organisation for promoting and supporting volunteering across the region, is calling for 200 volunteers to step up to the mark and lend their time and support to the ‘Mid & East Antrim’ Antrim Coast Half Marathon event, taking place over the summer bank holiday weekend from 27-28 August 2022.
Established in 2020, the race has been certified by World Athletics as an ‘Elite Label Event’, a prestigious award bestowed upon races that combine some of the most stunning scenery in Europe with famous landmarks along the route. The Antrim Coast Half Marathon is one of only three such events in the UK alongside the London Marathon and Cardiff Half Marathon.
Antrim Coast Half Marathon
With its flat course, the race is also one of the fastest half marathons in the world. Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah holds the course record set in 2020 in a time of 60:27 and became a race ambassador for the event in 2021.
Ruth McIlroy, Antrim Coast Half Marathon Race Director said: “This is a huge event for Northern Ireland and we’re privileged to be awarded ‘elite label event’ status, placing us on a par with the London marathon. There’s simply no other running event like it here in Northern Ireland and we’re excited to welcome 10,000 athletes from 20 countries in what is set to be our biggest event yet.”
Volunteer Now has partnered with the event to lend volunteer support and is calling for volunteers – old and new – to step up to the mark and give some time to help ensure a safe and enjoyable event.
Raquel Rodrigues Keenan, Events Officer at Volunteer Now said: “With thousands of runners and spectators due to descend upon the stunning Antrim Coast Road, our superb team of volunteers will be on hand to help ensure a safe and enjoyable race. It’s a massive event and we’re calling on anyone able to lend a spare hand and donate a few hours of their time to register with us and join our team.
We’ve got some great roles available to suit everyone – from handing out medals to seeing people safely onto shuttle buses or manning water stations. A lot goes into these events behind-the-scenes and volunteering at a major event such as this can be hugely fulfilling. If you haven’t volunteered before, this is a great way to get a taste for what it’s like whilst being part of a major global event right here on our doorstep.
All volunteers will receive an official event tee shirt and commemorative medal for their involvement.”
As part of Race Day celebrations, a community festival will take place at Sandy Bay, welcoming various local artists, street artists, a kids’ inflatable fun zone, bar area and an artisan market. Headline acts include Martello Jazz Band, Jackie Rainey, Paul Sexton and DJ Mark Dobbin, with performances from Downshire Brass, Cullybackey Pipe Band and NI Friendship Band.
“It’s a great day out for everyone to enjoy we would encourage anyone with a bit of time to spare to lend a hand for a few hours, soak up the stunning coastal views and electric atmosphere of the race and stay on to enjoy the party afterwards at Sandy Bay festival. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring the family and make a day of it in Mid & East Antrim whilst doing your bit to support this iconic event which really does place Northern Ireland on the world stage.
“We would love to see our superb team of event ambassadors grow and welcome new volunteers to enjoy the party atmosphere and excitement of a truly world-class event over the bank holiday weekend”, said Raquel.
Volunteer Now is calling for support for both the mile race taking place on Saturday 27th August, starting at 7.30pm, and the main World Athletics half marathon race on Sunday 28th August 2022, starting at 9am.
Volunteer opportunities are available across a range of roles over the two days, including:
- Start/Finishing Hub Team members
- Logistical support including shuttle service
- Bag drop attendees (pre- and post-race)
- Supporting with water stations
- Route marshals – for the elite and mass races, kid’s race and classic street mile marshals
- Distribution of tee shirts and medals
“If you’re aged 16 or over and would like to be part of a major scale event whilst promoting Northern Ireland and meet new people then join the team today by visiting www.volunteernow.co.uk to register, or contact the Volunteer Now Events Team on 028 9023 2020 or at [email protected]”, said Raquel.
