Here is where the fun really is!! Your job is to ensure runner safety by keeping placing signage to keep vehicles off the course, cheer, guide, and keep runners cruising along the correct path. Think of it as hosting a moving parade where every participant gets their own round of applause. Bring your best cheerful voice and enthusiasm!

As a course monitor, you’re the friendly face that reassures runners they’re headed the right way, helps prevent any accidental shortcuts, and calls for medical support if someone needs a hand. You get to see every runner from the first to the last, and they’ll appreciate your energy every step of the way.

On race evening, check in at the volunteer table between 6:00 AM and 6:05 PM.  We will have a group briefing and then get everyone to their designated position on the course.

Once the sweeper passes by a second time — you are welcome to join the sweeper and celebrate all the way to the finish line.

What to Wear: dress for adventure!
All our volunteer magic at the Mayfaire 5k happens outdoors, which means you’ll be sharing the same weather as the runners — sunshine, breezes, surprise sprinkles, or the famous thunderstorm! Come ready for anything the sky decides to offer. In the event of severe weather, you will be notified so that you can get all runners safely back to the promenade prior to opening the streets.

Every volunteer receives a special orange Lakeland Runners Club volunteer shirt — your badge of honor and the easiest way for runners to spot the heart & soul that makes race day possible. Pair it with a bright safety vest, comfortable shoes, because you might be standing, strolling, cheering, or hustling around for a while.

Think of it as dressing for a friendly outdoor adventure: bright shirt, comfy shoes, and whatever layers help you feel fabulous in the Florida elements.

No volunteer shirt or lanyard yet? No problem—you can grab both at packet pickup.

Please take a few minutes to review the maps below.  We can reduce driver frustration by assisting them with alternate routes or explaining how long their delay will be. Do not confront an angry driver. We have a permit to close the roads, and you will help place equipment and signage, but only the police can enforce those closures. 

Along Main St, Lave Ave and Orange St, our positions are pimarily located in entrance/exits to parking areas. It is OK to help someone exit a parking lot and get off the course. 

For example, between 6:30 and 6:45 PM our start line crew will be setting up the timing mats and truss system so we need to keep cars away from the start area, but we can still help drivers leave the area to reduce their frustration. 
Catapult Lot - turn right and exit out toward Massachusetts.
The Joinery Lot - turn left and exit on Rose St (it may not be where they want to go, but at least they are not stuck waiting).
The Lake Mirror Center - they can exit out via Lemon St or Main St. 
The Magnolia Lot - cars can not exit because Indiana is a one-way street, and Orange St is closed.

We want to keep cars off of Main, Lake & Orange St.  At 6:45, all traffic needs to wait until the roads are reopened by our equipment crew.

Along Success Ave, residents may leave their homes. Please escort them off the course as quickly as possible. 

If a driver enters the course while the race is live, our duty is to alert the runners and assist them out of harms way.