Volunteer at the Malad Valley Marathon: Make the Race Happen

A small-town marathon runs on the people who show up to staff it. Every cup of water at every aid station, every cone on every corner, every cheer at every mile marker is a volunteer. The 2026 Malad Valley Marathon needs about 15 volunteers across race weekend, and we are now taking signups.

What volunteers do

Friday: packet pickup (4 PM to 8 PM)

Hand out bibs, race shirts, and swag bags. Easiest shift on the schedule, outdoors at the city park.

Saturday morning: aid station crew (6:30 AM to noon, varies by station)

The biggest job. Each aid station has 2-3 volunteers pouring water, mixing electrolyte, handing out gels, encouraging runners. You can pick a station close to a road if you want to drive away after, or pick one of the remote stations if you want the full experience.

Saturday morning: start line crew (5:30 AM to 8:30 AM)

Set up the corral, hand out bib pins, coordinate the announcer.

Saturday: finish line crew (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM)

The fun shift. Hang medals around finishers’ necks, hand out water, point runners to food, manage the family reunion area, photograph as needed. 1-2 needed.

Saturday afternoon: tear-down crew (1 PM to 4 PM)

Pack up aid stations, pull cones, restore the streets. The least glamorous shift, and the one we genuinely could not finish without. 6-8 volunteers needed.

What we give volunteers

• A volunteer tech tee (different color from runner shirts, looks great).
• Breakfast or lunch depending on your shift, plus all the water and snacks you want.

Groups, clubs, and student service hours

If you have a youth group, scout troop, sports team, church group, or school class looking for service hours, we can place groups at aid stations.

High school students earn service hours that count for scholarship applications.

How to sign up

Email us through the contact page with your name, preferred shift, and any group affiliation. We confirm within 48 hours and follow up with a volunteer packet two weeks before race day.

Why this matters

The race is free to spectators. Entry fees stay low because we keep operations lean. Both are only possible because volunteers handle most of the on-the-ground work. If you live in or near Malad and you want to be part of putting the inaugural year on the map, here is your slot.

Race day is Saturday, September 12, 2026. We will see you out there.