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Rivers & Rails - Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

Assistant Race Director Medium Priority

At least 1 more volunteer needed.

Details

An “understudy” to the Race Director who can assist with planning, coordination, and race day operations. May step in as needed and help oversee volunteers and event logistics.

Sponsorship Captain Medium Priority

At least 1 more volunteer needed.

Details

Solicits sponsorship support and manages fulfillment of all promised sponsor benefits. Serves as the primary point of contact for sponsors before and after the event.

Volunteer Coordinator Medium Priority

At least 1 more volunteer needed.

Details

Recruits volunteers and manages all aspects of volunteer signups, scheduling, communication, and assignments.

Packet Stuffers Low Priority

November 13, 2026

This volunteer task is full.

Details

Assist with preparing race packets by organizing bibs, shirts, giveaways, and other participant materials prior to packet pickup.

Location

Smoketown Brewing

Pre-Race PPU Staff Medium Priority

At least 4 more volunteers needed.

Details

Assist participants during pre-race packet pickup by distributing race packets, shirts, and event materials.

Location

Smoketown Brewing

Neighborhood Notifications & Publicity Captain (5K) Medium Priority

At least 4 more volunteers needed.

Details

Reaches out to potentially affected businesses, churches, organizations, and residents regarding race activities, road closures, and event impacts. Refers interested supporters and sponsors to the Sponsorship Captain or Race Director. Mostly talk to residents and hand out flyers to alert them of street closures. Act as a race diplomat.

Location

Along the 5k course in Brunswick. Mostly talk to residents and hand out flyers to alert them of street closures.

Pre-Race Registration Staff High Priority

At least 1 more volunteer needed.

Details

Help participants with registration questions, participant lookups, transfers, and packet pickup during designated pre-race registration hours.

Participant Help Volunteers (5K and Marathon) High Priority

At least 4 more volunteers needed.

Details

Answer participant and prospective participant questions regarding registration, event schedules, lodging, parking, race logistics, and general event information.

Location

Square Corner Park (E Potomac and S Maple) and MARC train parking area.

Certified EMT (5K and Marathon) High Priority

At least 6 more volunteers needed.

Details

Provide medical help as needed.

Location

Along all race courses. Locations TBD

Bring a veteran to the 5K! Or bring yourself to the 5k if you're a veteran! High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

We want as many veterans, preferably in uniform, as possible to stand along the Veterans Challenge 5k course. We want to honor you.

Location

East A Street near the memorials, or anywhere along the course!

Resources Needed

Patriotic flags, signs, etc - 99 - 999

Race Day Registration and PPU Volunteers (5K and Marathon) High Priority

At least 3 more volunteers needed.

Details

Assist with race day registration, participant check-in, bib and packet distribution, and general participant support before the race begins.

Location

Square Corner Park (E Potomac and S Maple)

Start and Finish Water Station Volunteers (5K) High Priority

At least 3 more volunteers needed.

Details

Set up, maintain, and distribute water and refreshments near the start and finish areas while helping keep the area clean and organized.

Location

Square Corner Park (E Potomac and S Maple)

Water Station (5K) High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Provide water to runners, collect potential litter, make sure area is clean when finished.

Location

Brunswick on East H Street, near Park Heights Cemetery

Course Marshals (5K) High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route.

Location

Along the 5K course in Brunswick. Exact location will be disclosed closer to race date.

Cheering Squad Volunteers (5K) Low Priority

At least 20 more volunteers needed.

Details

Support and encourage participants along the 5k course and at the finish line to help create a fun and energetic race atmosphere.

Location

Along the 5k course in the city of Brunswick

Resources Needed

cowbells and other noise makers - 20 - 100

First Aid Helpers (5K) Medium Priority

At least 3 more volunteers needed.

Details

Assist designated medical personnel by directing participants to aid stations, communicating concerns, and providing basic non-medical support as requested.

Location

Along the 5k course in Brunswick. Exact locations TBD

Parking and Welcome Volunteers (Marathon) High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Direct vehicles to designated parking areas and provide a friendly welcome to participants, spectators, and guests upon arrival.

Location

MARC Train Parking Lot entrance at the bottom of S. Maple Ave.

First Aid Helpers (Marathon) Medium Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Assist designated medical personnel by directing participants to aid stations, communicating concerns, and providing basic non-medical support as requested.

Location

Along the marathon course. Locations TBD.

Cheering Squad Volunteers (Marathon) Low Priority

At least 20 more volunteers needed.

Details

Support and encourage participants along the 5k course and at the finish line to help create a fun and energetic race atmosphere.

Location

Along the marathon / half marathon course in MD and WV.

Participant Help Volunteers (Marathon) High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Answer participant and prospective participant questions regarding registration, event schedules, lodging, parking, race logistics, and general event information.

Location

In and near the MARC train parking lot.

Start and Finish Water Station Volunteers (Marathon) High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Distribute post-race food, beverages, and snacks to participants and assist with maintaining the refreshment area.

Location

Marathon Start / Finish area, near the boat ramp and C&O Canal Towpath access behind MARC Train parking lot

On-Course Water Station Helpers / Marathon Post 1 High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Set up and operate water stations along the course, distribute hydration to participants, and assist with station cleanup.

Location

Approx 3 miles from the start line on the C&O Canal Towpath. This one station will serve marathon runners at mile 3 and 23 and half marathon runners at mile 3 and 10)

On-Course Water Station Helpers / Marathon Post 2 High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Set up and operate water station along the course, distribute hydration to participants, and assist with station cleanup.

Location

Approx 5.5 miles from the start line on the C&O Canal Towpath, on the Maryland side of the Byron Bridge that crosses the Potomac River to Harpers Ferry. This one station will serve marathon runners at mile 5.5, 12.5, and 20.5 and half marathon runners at mile 5.5 and 7.6

On-Course Water Station Helpers / Marathon Post 3 High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Set up and operate water station along the course, distribute hydration to participants, and assist with station cleanup. Volunteers may break down this station and clean up after the final marathon runner. Half marathoners will not use this station. Must wait for confirmation that final runner has passed.

Location

Bolivar Heights at the turnaround circle on Whitman Ave. This station will serve marathon runners at mile 10.5 .

On-Course Water Station Helpers / Marathon Post 4 High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Set up and operate water station along the course, distribute hydration to participants, and assist with station cleanup. Volunteers may break down this station and clean up after the final marathon runner. Half marathoners will not use this station. Must wait for confirmation that final runner has passed.

Location

C&O Canal Towpath south of Dargan Bend. This station will serve marathon runners at mile 16.7 and is adjacent to the marathon turnaround point. Closest Parking is Dargan Bend parking area.

Course Marshals (Marathon) Byron Bridge High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. **Act as diplomats and interact with hikers and bikers to warn them of the ongoing race. Ask hikers and bikers to be mindful of runners and yield to them on the bridge** All runners will cross bridge twice. Marshals may leave after final runners cross bridge for the second time. Must confirm final runner.

Location

Need two marshals at either side of Byron Bridge, the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Potomac River and connects the towpath with Harpers Ferry.

Course Marshals (Marathon) Route 340 Bridge High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. **Act as diplomats and interact with hikers and bikers to warn them of the ongoing race. Ask hikers and bikers to be mindful of runners and yield to them on the bridge** Marathon runners will cross bridge and then turnaround at the end to make their way back to Harpers Ferry. Marshals may leave after final runners cross bridge. Must confirm final runner. Marathon runners only - no half marathoners will use this bridge.

Location

Need two marshals at either side of the Route 340 bridge pedestrian walkway. This is the bridge that crosses the Shenandoah River at the end of Shenandoah St.

Course Marshals (Marathon) Shenandoah St - Harpers Ferry High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Half marathon turnaround point. Make sure Half marathoners turnaround here. May leave after confirmation of final half marathon runner.

Location

Shenandoah St prior to the 340 bridge. Exact location TBD.

Course Marshals (Marathon) Shenandoah St & High St intersection High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct half and full runners, this will be a busy intersection. May leave after confirmation of final runner.

Location

Shenandoah St & High St intersection in Harpers Ferry

Course Marshals (Marathon) Bolivar High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners onto Whitman Ave, and again back onto Washington St. May leave after confirmation of final runner.

Location

Bolivar, intersection of Washington St and Whitman Ave

Course Marshals (Marathon) Bolivar Heights High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners around the loop. May leave after confirmation of final runner.

Location

Bolivar Heights, Whitman Ave turnaround circle.

Course Marshals (Marathon) Harpers Ferry - Washington & H. Clay High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners onto Henry Clay St. May leave after confirmation of final runner, or stay to encourage and direct same runners as they make their way back down Washington St.

Location

Harpers Ferry, Washington St & Henry Clay St

Course Marshals (Marathon) Harpers Ferry - Fillmore & Storer College Pl High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners onto Storer College Pl from Fillmore St. May leave after confirmation of final runner.

Location

Harpers Ferry, Fillmore St & Storer College Pl

Course Marshals (Marathon) Harpers Ferry - Washington & Storer College Pl High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners left onto Washington St from Storer College Pl. Direct those same runners to stay on Washington St as they pass by again on their way back downtown.

Location

Harpers Ferry, Washington St & Storer College Pl.

Course Marshals (Marathon) C&O Canal Towpath Turnaround High Priority

November 14, 2026

Details

Monitor key intersections and course locations, provide directional guidance, and help ensure participant safety by keeping runners on the correct route. Direct full marathon runners to turnaround at mile 16.7. May leave after confirmation of final runner. This is a critical turnaround and will be well marked, but we need marshals here to make sure runners turn around.

Location

C&O Canal Towpath, south of Dargan Bend parking area. Exact location TBD.

Site Cleanup Helpers

November 14, 2026

Details

Assist with breakdown and cleanup of race equipment, signage, trash, tents, and supplies to help restore the venue after the event.

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