Our SSWS 5k water stop sits on Hollingsworth Drive just past the roundabout at Hollingsworth Rd— a few hundred feet prior to mile 2.  The easiest parking is at the First Presbytirian Church at 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801.

You need to be comfortable lifting, bending, carrying, and being vocal when necessary for the safety of your fellow crew and other runners.

Set the stage for success:
When you arrive at the water stop location, you’ll find everything ready for setup, including:
• a tool bag with a cutting tool, marker to identify partially opened jugs, and tape to close up boxes (just mark the remaining inventory on the box).
• three 6' tables
• approximately 36 gallons of water (we never want to run out!)
• paper cups
• trashcans and trash bags
• rakes and scoop shovels
• a feather flag with an X‑base and weight

Tips for Set Up:
• Try not to open more supplies than you need.  Mark any water containers that are opened, but not empty with an X on the lid. We can use these for cleaning, but we can't use them again for a water stop.

• Open bags/boxes of cups so that can be stored open side down if they are not all used.

•Tables can be set up just off of the path in the flat part of the grass .

• Fill cups about one‑third full (roughly 3 oz—just a quick swallow). This makes them easier to grab without splashing.

• Expect the first runner around 7:10 AM. Because our races attract many first time participants, call out "water" as you hold out your cup so they know what you're handing out.

• Most runners grab water from the first table they reach, so place more volunteers there to hand out cups. Once that table is empty, break it down and shift the team to the next table.

• Work in teams of two or three to fill cups and keep sliding them forward as runners pass.

• Runners start based on estimated finish time. Bib numbers and corrals follow that order, so you’ll have a sense of how many runners are left based on the the bibs of the runners passing by.

• Runners in the later corrals typically take more water, so be ready for a busier stretch as the pack grows.

• You can begin teardown after the sweeper—a person with balloons—passes your station.. Please clean up all trash and stack equipment neatly for the setup team to collect.

What to Wear: dress for adventure!
All our volunteer magic at the SSWS 5k happens outdoors, which means you’ll be sharing the same weather as the runners — sunshine, humidity, breezes, surprise sprinkles. If there is a severe weather event, you will be notified in plenty of time to get out of the elements.

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 comfortable shoes,  because you'll be 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 volunteer check-in.