The Barry Island 10K returns after a brief hiatus in 2024, to the excitement of both runners and volunteers. It’s a firm favourite in the Run 4 Wales running calendar, renowned for it’s varied and scenic route, unbeatable crowd support and feel-good atmosphere. The event will return to it’s seaside location on Sunday 15 June.
The race launched in 2018 with a route designed by double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace, now Race Director for Run 4 Wales, the team behind events such as the Cardiff Half Marathon and Newport Marathon Festival. In 2025 Barry Island will welcome over 3,000 runners on event day to take part in the 10K, as well as offering families and young runners a chance to get involved in junior races.
If you’re not planning to run this event, then have you thought about volunteering? Joining the Extra Milers, as the event volunteer team is better known, is a fantastic opportunity to experience the event day atmosphere without taking on the 6.2 miles distance! Run 4 Wales is looking for 150 volunteers to support the runners, cheer them on and get involved.
We caught up with R4W Volunteer Coordinator Tor Hands to find out more about race day volunteering:
“The Extra Milers are vital to the success of race day. You don’t need any experience to get involved, just be enthusiastic and ready to have a great morning out! It’s really easy to sign up as a volunteer – just follow the link on our webpage or send us an email. “
Volunteers choose their own role for event day. Options include helping on the Start-Finish Line handing out medals and t-shirts to runners on Friars Road by the Pleasure Park or joining the friendly Bag Drop team in Promenade Gardens and chatting to runners as they drop off their bag. If you prefer to experience the atmosphere around the course, then you can be a Course Marshal at The Knapp or help out at the water stop in Romilly Park.
Are you part of a community or young persons group? Groups are invited to support any of the volunteer roles. Both the Cardiff Police Youth Volunteers and Barry (372 squadron) RAF Cadets will be in their regular volunteering spot in Romilly Park and we’d love more groups to get involved too.
Volunteers are a valued part of the R4W team:
“The Extra Milers tell us that they volunteer mainly to be part of the event and to give something back, as well as to meet new people and have a new experience. Whatever their motivation, we are extremely grateful to have the enthusiasm and energy of all our Extra Milers on race days and we know the runners appreciate it too!”
Volunteer Coordinator Tor
“You can’t beat being part of a mass participation race and it’s fantastic that volunteers can experience the heart of race day action, sharing in the excitement of runners achieving their goals. Runners really appreciate the support of the Extra Milers!“
Race Director Steve Brace
Do you feel like getting involved?! Individual volunteers can sign up and choose their event day role here: www.barryisland10K.co.uk/volunteering. Groups are invited to email volunteers@run4wales.org for more information.
Once you’re signed up, all volunteers will receive a detailed information sheet a week before event day. This includes arrival times, the name of the volunteer supervisor, where to park and sign in, as well as the race schedule. On event day, we meet at the Volunteer Welcome Tent near the start-finish (note: water station volunteers and course marshals will meet at their course location). Here volunteers will meet their supervisor and fellow volunteers, collect their t-shirt and lunch pack, then enjoy a hot drink and snack whilst waiting for everyone to arrive. It’s a great time to get to know your fellow volunteers, perhaps see some familiar faces and ask any questions. It can be really busy, with around 100 volunteers all in one place but everyone is buzzing with excitement and looking forward to the day ahead.
Extra Milers receive an event t-shirt and bag, as well as free parking, a lunch pack, snacks and drinks. R4W also gifts Tempo Time Credits to all volunteers (a national volunteer reward scheme). Once all the volunteers have arrived, supervisors gather their teams and carry out an event briefing. Then it’s down to work, getting set up and organised ready for the runners who’ll be on their way to the event, excited about the challenge ahead.
So if you’re up for joining in the fun and being part of the amazing Extra Miler community, why not join us as a volunteer at this year’s Barry Island 10K on Sunday 15th June?
Visit www.barryisland10K.co.uk/volunteering for more information or email Tor at volunteers@run4wales.org.