Skip to main content

John Jay Community Trail Race

Sun April 12, 2026 Cross River, NY 10518 US Directions

Find Your Category

Race Organization

I am not sure, but I want to help Medium Priority

At least 2 more volunteers needed.

Details

If you are not sure what you can commit to now, but would like to get on our volunteer list, select this task and we will be in touch.

Location

Anywhere.

Middle School Team Leader High Priority

You must be 11-14 years old to volunteer for this task.

At least 2 more volunteers needed.

Details

Looking for students at John Jay Middle School to help with organizing the Kids Jay Dash and other items on race day. The Dash is for students in elementary school and younger and the Middle School Team leader would help design and run this race along with the high school student organizers. Must be able to attend some organizational meetings. This person would also help with our outreach to the John Jay Middle School and the Elementary Schools in the district.

Student Social Media Director High Priority

At least 1 more volunteer needed.

Details

Post on the race social media to attract runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsors, and donors. Currently we have instagram and facebook and we'd love to add more!

Pre-Race Day Tasks

Final Course Marking High Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 11, 2026

Details

The day before the race we will mark the course. In order to learn what needs to be done with this task and pass it on to younger volunteers, we will have a mix of experienced course markers and new course markers hoping to mark the course in future years.

Location

Meet at Cross River Pharmacy then we head to course. Happens the day before the race (Saturday)

Saturday Afternoon Bib Pickup Table High Priority

April 11, 2026

Details

Runners, Walkers, and Dashers can come to pick up their bibs the day before the race at Orchard Square Shopping Center. We will set up a table in front of the Cross River Pharmacy.

Location

In front of the Cross River Pharmacy at the Orchard Square Shopping Center in Cross River.

Race Day Tasks

Course Marshal Medium Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

Course Marshals will go out onto the course on race morning before the race. They will make sure the markings are correct and will direct runners at key intersections. Course marshals will also be available to assist any runners who have been injured and communicate an injury back to the race directors and EMS crew on standby. Age limit for this spot is 14 and up (Freshman and older).

Location

Various spots on the course. We will usually double up the course marshals so if there is a problem one can stay in place while the other goes for help.

Race Day Registration Table High Priority

You must be 12-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

We will take race day registrations and will have a table set up for that. If you are planning to run the 5k or walk the 4k, take the early shift.

Location

Race start area - Middle school field.

Race Day Pre-registered Runners Table High Priority

You must be 12-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

Table set up for pre-registered runners to pick up their bib and shirt. If you are planning to run the 5k or walk the 4k, take the early shift.

Location

Race start area, lower field

Course Sweep Medium Priority

You must be 12-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

Course sweep starts 15 minutes after the race and runs/walks behind the slowest runners to make sure everyone is uninjured and off of the course at the end of the race. We need multiple sweeps since sometimes a sweep will stay with an injured runner while help is on its way.

Location

On course race day

Course Checkers High Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

In order to make sure markings are all in place for the race on race day, we will have at least one runner leave at 8am to run the course and check that everything is set the correct way and no hazards have fallen on the course or appeared overnight. Course checkers should be able to do the course check in a maximum of 30 minutes and preferably faster. When they finish, the course checker will report back to the race director immediately about the condition of the course and any areas that need attention. This is a crucial task that helps make sure all of the runners are as safe as possible.

Location

On course race day

Timing Assistant High Priority

You must be 13-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

The race timer will need 2-3 helpers on race day to assist with timing the race. This is a critical time-sensitive task and helpers must be completely focused on it during the time of the 5k and just afterwards.

Location

JJ Campus

Food Table Setup Medium Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

We will have food for the runners post-race. The provider will deliver it to the John Jay Contest Field at a designated spot.

Food includes bagels, butter, cream cheese, bananas, oranges, coffee, and hot cocoa. We will need volunteer help slicing the fresh bagels.

Location

JJ Contest Field (finish line area)

Race Day Photographer Medium Priority

You must be 10-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

We'd love to get students and community members out on the course taking photos of the day. We will feature race photos on the website and have them available for runners to view and share.

Food Table Monitor Medium Priority

You must be 12-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

At least 2 more volunteers needed.

Details

Food table monitors will keep track of the food once it is set up. After the race start we will keep the runners food under wraps so they get first crack at it. Spectators will be able to get to the food provided, but we want it primarily and first available to runners.

Location

John Jay Contest Field

Parking Coordinator High Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

When runners and spectators come in to the John Jay Middle School driveway, they will want to know where to park. Since the race ends at the contest field, the best spot to park is up at the top between the tennis courts and the contest field. We need some volunteers to direct cars where to park and to answer questions about where the race starts and ends - and get the runners down to the start line.

Location

John Jay Campus

Bring Market Tent High Priority

At least 3 more volunteers needed.

Details

We need several market tents for the start and finish area. Sign up if you can bring a tent (or two!). This will help in case the skies are not cooperative during registration and awards.

Location

JJ Campus - either lower location (start of race at middle school field) or upper location (finish line at the contest field (the one with the purple track).

Kids Race Helper Medium Priority

You must be 14-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

Help with the start line and finish line of the Kids 200m Jay Dash. The start line helpers (1-2) will gather the kids for the race. Based on how many kids and what ages they are, it is best to split them into either 2 or 3 heats. The youngest kids go first (2-5 year olds). Then the middle group (6-8). Then the 9 & 10 year olds (& 11 if we have any).

The finish line will be communicating with the start line that the race timer is ready for each heat. Also helping to hand out kids race medals to all finishers.

Location

John Jay Contest Field Track (the purple track next to Route 121)

Post-Race Tasks

Post-Race Cleanup Medium Priority

You must be 12-99 years old to volunteer for this task.

April 12, 2026

Details

After the race we will need volunteers to clean up the start and finish areas as well as the course itself (markings, anything left behind or dropped by participants).

Trail Building Volunteer

Weekend Trail Building Volunteer High Priority

At least 10 more volunteers needed.

Details

We are currently working on The Final Link Boardwalk trail near the John Jay Contest track & field.

Work will include everything from moving materials, digging supports, drilling, decking, spreading wood chips, chainsawing, and reconnaissance.

We will work with two volunteers -- and we can work with 20-30 volunteers if we are ever so lucky! And everything in between.

Any volunteer effort is appreciated and totally at your availability. It is also weather-dependent. We are gathering information for specific dates so we can gauge numbers available for weekend tasks and help plan accordingly. If your plans change and you cannot make it we totally understand. Just send us an email at jjtrailrace@gmail.com and let us know if you have a change in plans.

We will let volunteers know if there are specific tools needed for a given workday. Common tools are cordless drills, shovels, picks, buckets, and saws. Anything else organizers can usually supply.

The most important thing is raising your hand and getting on the weekend volunteer email list. Any and all ages are welcome. Any amount of time you can give is appreciated.

Cold water will be on hand for all work sessions.

Location

John Jay Community Trail - most work will be focused on the final link trail and boardwalk.

Weekday Trail Building Volunteer

At least 10 more volunteers needed.

Details

Weekday volunteers are those who may be available during the weekdays. When we work a week day it will typically be from 9am-1pm. We don't always know in advance what days we will be working during the week so this is a general signup and we will contact volunteers for this task a few days before the work day to see about availability. We will use these time slots strategically to get sites and projects ready for weekend volunteers who are usually larger in number.

Work will include everything from moving materials, digging supports, drilling, decking, spreading wood chips, chainsawing, and reconnaissance.

We will work with two volunteers -- and we can work with 20-30 volunteers if we are ever so lucky! And everything in between.

Any volunteer effort is appreciated and totally at your availability. It is also weather-dependent.

We will let volunteers know if there are specific tools needed for the workday. Common tools are cordless drills, shovels, picks, buckets, and saws. Anything else organizers will supply.

The most important thing is raising your hand and getting on the weekday volunteer email list. Any and all ages are welcome. Any amount of time you can give is appreciated.

Cold water will be on hand for all work sessions.

Location

John Jay Community Trail - either via Pit Field or JJMS field trailheads.

If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Read how we use cookies and how you can control them by visiting our Privacy Policy.

If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies.