Volunteers are always welcome at a variety of events.

*Ben and Sarah Ferguson at the Chester 100-mile Ultra race.

Volunteers are always welcome at a variety of events.

Report by Don Hale.

*Ben and Sarah Hudson (below) on route checking duty at the Chester Ultra race and (above) a section of the picturesque course on the 100-mile challenge.

Being a runner is not just about turning out for a race, taking part, and then going home; there are many, many, times when volunteers or marshals are desperately needed to support a particular race and/or a local parkrun or cross-country event.

It was good to see two North Wales Road Runners helping out at the Chester 100-mile Ultra event last week and doing whatever task was required. They were amongst many others who gave up their valuable time to support this exciting Ultra Challenge.

Ben and Sarah Ferguson are regular competitors at a variety of events, including endurance and ultra races, and they welcomed the opportunity to pay back some of the generous assistance offered to them in the past.

I know they are not the only runners to make the effort to volunteer, and that all races and parkruns heavily rely on volunteers and marshals, to enable all these events to go ahead, but I thought it time to mention a genuine example of two hard-working business people - who run a B&B in Betws-y-Coed, and gave up many hours to help out at this important Chester race.

If any runners reading this have never volunteered before, please give it a go, it is an enjoyable experience, and your services will be welcomed anywhere.

*Pictured (right) Ben Hudson helps out with registration and and marshalling during the Ultra race.