Thank you for considering to volunteer for the 2024 Grove Express 5K event. All descriptions in this guide are general expectations for a volunteer of the listed role. Some activities may change in the moment. 

Sessions listed are displayed in calendar order and match the session names in the volunteer sign up on RunSignup. 

Packet Pickup is a great opportunity to sign up as a family to help out. If the family has kids younger than highschool, at least one family member of 16 years of age or older is needed to guide the younger family member(s). One person over 16 from each family will be required to be at the side of the young ones.

Prepare the room for registered participants to pick up race day materials. Move boxes, set up tables, signs and merchandise. You will assist in distributing race materials, as well as checking in participants.

*Please come prepared to be standing for a majority of the shift. If you are able, please bring with you a fully charged cell phone.

Location: DGN HS Field House, North Side, Door 31, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove 

Time: 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM  

Prepare the room for registered participants to pick up race day materials. Move boxes, set up tables, signs and merchandise. You will assist in distributing race materials, as well as checking in participants. You may be asked to stay a couple minutes after 12:00 pm to assist in cleanup of the event. 

*Please come prepared to be standing for a majority of the shift. If you are able, please bring with you a fully charged cell phone.

Location: DGN HS Field House, North Side, Door 31, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove 

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Assist in the set up of the event. Help to distribute race day materials and check in race participants. 

*Please come prepared to be standing for a majority of the shift. If you are able, please bring with you a fully charged cell phone.  

Location: DGN HS Field House, North Side, Door 31, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove 

Time 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

Assist in the set up of the event. Help to distribute race day materials and check in race participants. You will also assist in the take down and clean up after the event. You may be asked to stay a few minutes after 2:00 pm to assist with cleanup. 

*Please come prepared to be standing for a majority of the shift. If you are able, please bring with you a fully charged cell phone.  

Location: DGN HS Field House, North Side, Door 31, 4436 Main Street, Downers Grove 

Time 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Assist in the set up of the event. Help to distribute race day materials and check in race participants. You will also assist in the take down and clean up after the event. You may be asked to stay a few minutes after 7:00 pm to assist with cleanup. 

*Please come prepared to be standing for a majority of the shift. If you are able, please bring with you a fully charged cell phone.  

Location: Road Runner Sports, 1532 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove 

Time 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM

With the exception of the Adult Volunteer Opportunities, these are perfect for high schoolers or mature teenagers and families.

You will be the first to arrive on Thanksgiving morning. You will help take attendance and distribute reserved shirts and safety vests to volunteers. Then you will mark the runner pace sign locations and lead the garage setup. 

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM 

You will report to the Tivoli to assist with registration, until registration closes. You will help with take down and clean up of the Tivoli. After doing so you will report to the Downers Grove Parking Deck, at 5151 Mochel Drive.

Report Location Tivoli theater, 5021 Highland Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Time 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM 

You will be going to the start line to assist with banners, barricades and signs. You will also be responsible for helping athletes as well as answering questions athletes may have. Report back to the garage for new assignments once the starting line is set up. 

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM -11:00 AM 

You will assist in signage for the race route as well as organize pace signs at the start line of the race. Return to the garage after the race has begun and most of the participants are past the start line. 

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM-11:00 AM 

Report to the Garage to check in. This team stays at the garage. 

This team will set up tables, food giveaways, signs, music in the garage, photobooths, social media and more. 

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM-11:00 AM 

Report to the Garage to check in. This team sets up the garage till 7:45. After this, the team walks to Saratoga and Brookbank to staff the enroute water table. You will be responsible for passing out water, filling water cups, and then cleaning your area after the race.  

Report Location:  Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM-11:00 AM 

The volunteer opportunities below are specific for adults age 18 or older, and out of high school.

Adults that would like to assist on race day, we could always use some folks that can problem solve in the moment and or assist with runner management. 

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove

Time 6:30 AM-11:00 AM 

Report to the Garage to check in. This team stays at the garage. 

While this team will do the same things as the rest of the garage party volunteers (set up tables, food giveaways, signs, music in the garage, photobooths, social media and more), this team will also be expected to take initiative and lead other volunteers in their duties to ensure the Apres Run (Garage Party) runs smoothly. 

*Note, we are requesting adults only (18+) for this position. You will be expected to stay in the garage for the entire shift.  

Report Location: Downers Grove Parking Deck, 5151 Mochel Drive, Downers Grove 

Time 6:30 AM-11:00 AM