In case you missed it we’re doing a 2024 UVRC VOLUNTEER CHALLENGE! 

Have you ever been handed a cup of water in the middle of a race on a hot day and wondered what you ever would have done without it? Have you ever crossed a road during a race without stopping because a kind stranger in a traffic vest was there to assist you? Have you ever been six hours into a race and had a smiling stranger at an aid station pour pickle juice from a jar into a cup for you and it turns your day around? (Don't knock it until you try it!) Have you ever been able to avoid running through shoe-sucking mud because someone built a footbridge on the trail in front of you? If you've answered yes to any or all of these, you have benefited from the kindness of volunteers. Running events and trail building /maintenance could not happen without the generous support of volunteers - volunteers like you and me! 

UVRC wants to see YOU out there volunteering, and this year, we are providing a little extra incentive to encourage you to do so. Here are the details about the Volunteer Challenge:

What is it? 

A drawing for a new pair of running shoes of your choice from Omer and Bob's or Stateline Sports! (And probably some other sweet prizes!)

Who is eligible? 

Any current UVRC member.

How do I earn tickets? 

For every hour of volunteer service either at a running event/race or trail work, you will get one ticket in the raffle. More hours will get you more chances to win, but even one hour of volunteer work will get you in the drawing!

When will this occur? 

Any volunteer work in the calendar year 2024 will make you eligible. If you volunteered at a Dartmouth track meet earlier in the year, you are already eligible to be in the running for some new shoes! 

How do I make sure my hours will be counted? 

Email me, Kristina, at kjsiladi @ gmail .com with the subject line "UVRC Volunteer Challenge". Let me know the number of hours and at what event you volunteered. I'll keep track of hours until the big drawing at the end of the year!

Upcoming Opportunities

• The Mount Washington Road Race is in need of volunteers! Historically the MWRR crew assigns volunteer positions by club/group so we all focus on one task e.g. one club does water hand out, one club does check in, etc. We haven’t been assigned a task yet but in the past the UVRC has been instrumental in keeping the flow of traffic going and managing the parking which requires a lot of friendly faces to keep everything working smoothly! In general we also need volunteers to get our racers down the mountain! If you’re interested in volunteering please reach out to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com or signup with this link
• As you saw above, we have LOTS of local races coming up! Races like the Shamrock Shuffle, Skip’s Run, and the Red, White, and Blue 6.2 are put on by the amazing folks at Leb Rec and they could always use extra hands to continue making these races run! If you’re interested in volunteering for any of the Leb Rec races please reach out to Paul Coats <paul.coats@lebanonnh.gov>
• The Covered Bridges Half Marathon is on the horizon! Didn’t get in through registration but are itching to take part in one of the most beautiful and sought after races in New England? Well good news! The UVRC is looking for pacers for the race! As a pacer you run the race at a fixed pace to achieve a set goal time and serve as a beacon to your fellow runners who are trying to meet or beat that goal time. I speak from experience when I say it is one of the most rewarding activities I have participated in (apart from being your President) as nothing compares to the joy of helping other people achieve the goals they’ve worked so hard for! We’ll start assembling pacers more earnestly in Apr-May but reach out early especially if you need to start doing your training!! As with the others please reach out to uppervalleyrunningclub@gmail.com