Event Crew

PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR EVENT

We always need enthustiastic volunteers!

We would love you to join our team on Sunday 3rd or Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2026 and make this prestigious running event a massive success for Milton Keynes!

If you are not planning on running, the next best thing to do is to volunteer! Without your support and effort, the MK Marathon would not be possible. There are many different and fun opportunities for you to be part of Milton Keynes’ best running race.

 

THERE ARE SOME GREAT BENEFITS

* FREE quality sublimation event t-shirt

* FREE Sandwich Shack packed lunch (Monday only)

* FREE commemorative pin badge

* Celebratory drinks at Weatherspoon’s on Monday 4th at 6:30 pm

* BALLOT. Three places up for grabs in either the 5k, half marathon, or full marathon for next year.

You will also enjoy a sense of satisfaction that you are helping us stage the best event possible for Milton Keynes, as well as the gratitude of thousands of participants!

EVENT CREW GUIDE

1. REGISTER

Just fill in our form to sign up – it only takes a few minutes.

2. GET THE BRIEF

We’ll be in touch with all the details 7-10 days before the event.

3. ON THE DAY

Attend a briefing, receive your goodies and have a rewarding day!

OPENING JAN 2026

Pre-Event

  • Packing runner numbers (bibs)
  • Giving out race packs at Up & Running (various shifts)

Sunday 3rd May 2026

  • Race HQ/Start Team
  • Rocket 5K Course Marshals
  • Rocket 5K Finish (medals & water)
  • Packing Rewards

Monday 4th May 2026

  • Baggage and Rewards
  • Race Registration / Information Desk
  • Race Start Team
  • Course marshals
  • Marathon Relay Team
  • Race Finish Team (medals & water)
  • Event Photographers
  • Course Cleardown
  • Cow Mascots
  • Ploggers (following last runners and litter picking)

NB. Stadium volunteers will receive an off-site parking permit for a stress free experience.

MK Marathon Event T-Shirt 2026
MK Marathon 2026 Volunteer pin badge

Volunteers will receive a quality technical sublimation T-shirt, and pin badge.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

2021 – Sarah Jane-Bird

2022 – Natalie Garfoot

2023 – Raffa D’Ambrosi

2024 – Robyn Richie

2025 – Sarah Evans

My favourite race that I volunteer to marshal at all year, it’s so well organised and a great atmosphere. I look forward to seeing all the returning runners and the new ones, especially if it’s your first marathon.

Ann Virco – volunteer

Group or Charity volunteers

If you are part of a local community, club, company, charity, or group that might be interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at run@miltonkeynesmarathon.co.uk

Recognising our dedicated volunteer groups

THE REDWAY RUNNERS – MILTON KEYNES

The Redway Runners, with over 2,500 members, is the biggest running club in Milton Keynes. Established in 2010, the club caters to every level of runner. Organised runs take place every day of the week. Redway Runners have been a major supporter of the MK Marathon from day one. Apart from the many runners that actually take part, great pride is felt by providing the MK Marathon team with hundreds of volunteers from among its members to make sure the day goes well.

When asked why the group continues to volunteer at the MK Marathon, club Chairman Martin Lawrence emphasised that “the event is a great opportunity to connect with other individuals from the Milton Keynes running community.” His advice for other volunteer groups is to “make the most of the opportunity, as giving back in these events can feel as rewarding, if not more so, if you are committed and enthusiastic during volunteer efforts.”

Find out more about the Redway Runners [ here ]

Thank you, Redway Runners! We are proud to have you as part of the MK Marathon family!

Event Crew FAQ’s

You will receive a confirmation e-mail from us, and we will send further updates about your role, with detailed information 7-10 days before the event.

Please let us know asap if you are no longer able to help out so that we have time to find a replacement.

Yes, you can. There are many occasions when friends sign up together and wish to work in the same area. Please encourage them to sign up.

Please contact the Event Crew Coordinator as soon as possible by email [ run@miltonkeynesmarathon.co.uk ]. There are many reasons why volunteers find they cannot attend. The most important thing is to tell us as soon as possible, as we can then put contingencies in place. We always appreciate that you volunteered in the first place, even though circumstances may dictate otherwise.

Once you sign up, we are counting on you to stay for the full shift. We count on each volunteer to stay until the end of the shift.
However, we realise there could be an emergency, and if this occurs, we would appreciate it if you contact your line manager by phone or text before leaving.

We provide a packed lunch for all registered volunteers on the Bank Holiday Monday only.

The race is early May and the weather is usually warm and sunny, however, there can also be rain! So you should bring layers and waterproofs if you are a course marshal. Please check the weather forecast beforehand and wear comfortable shoes. You will receive a Race Crew T-shirt that you should wear, that identifies you as a part of the official MK Marathon Event Crew.

Yes, but there are restrictions. Normally, children will be part of an organised group, such as the Scouts, who will have their own supervision.

The minimum age for someone to work on their own, or as a marshal on the race route, is 17 years.

Final confirmation e-mails are sent 7-10 days before race day. If it is less than a week to the race, and you still don’t know all the information you need, please email the Event Crew Coordinator with your query. In the worst case, on race day, come to the volunteer check-in at StadiumMK – there will always be tasks to help with.

Please bring your own drink and snacks and carry them with you during the race and please dispose of rubbish responsibly
Please bring warm clothing, rainwear and sun cream (hopefully you’ll need this)
Please bring a fully charged mobile phone (key contact numbers will be given to you).
Please bring your own hand sanitiser

When you volunteer please state any special requirements or disabilities on the signup form. We will do our best to accommodate you. Course marshals are welcome to bring a chair with them.

Number collection: Free parking at Go Outdoors.

Bib Packing: Free parking at the Parks Trust.

Pre-race day set-up: We need your registration to organise free parking at the stadium.

Rocket Race HQ: The HQ Manager will be able to refund the cost of parking at CMK.

Rocket Course Marshals: Free parking in Robin's Hill

Rocket Finish Team: We need your registration to organise free parking at the stadium.

Stadium Volunteers: We have arranged for free off-site parking in Mount Farm.

Course Marshals: All course marshals, except Course Section 3 (CC3) at CMK, will receive details of free parking spots in their instructions. CC3 marshals can get a refund from their manager.