1. What do I need to become a volunteer for the Athens Half Marathon? where can I find information about the application and the participation in general?
All the information about the application, and the participation in the volunteer programme can be found on our website, section VOLUNTEERING / VOLUNTEERING APPLICATION FORM.
2. I am a student, can I become a volunteer at the Athens Half Marathon?
Of course you can! Option 1: You can apply through an official volunteering team (e.g. school/club etc) member of the Volunteering Program of the event. Option 2: You can also take part if companied by an adult (parent/guardian) who is required to fill in the application form as well.
3. What are the available volunteer opportunities?
In order to check all available volunteer opportunities you may visit VOLUNTEERING>VOLUNTEERING SECTIONS.
4. Can I choose the placement?
Upon filling in the application one can select his/her wish. Please note that as a sports event, all volunteers may be assigned in any position/volunteer opportunity based solely on the needs of the races.
5. Can I be together with my friends?
Yes, provided that you mention it. For more than 3 friends, it is best to use the same name as reference.
6. How will I know if and where I am placed?
About 7-10 days before the race, you will be sent an e-mail with all the relevant information.
7. I collected the T-shirt and the accreditation, but I did not participate the day of the Race. Also, I did not inform my team leader about my being absent. Will there be any problem?
Well, the problem will surface the day of the Race when your position will be vacant and those who counted on you, your TEAM, will be underequipped! Moreover, those who do not parcitipate and do not inform our Volunteering Program about their absence, appear to not truly care about the Race and team, so next time they apply for, they minimize the chances of getting selected.
8. How long is a volunteer shift?
Each shift depends on the race that supports. Starting time is between 7:00am-8.00 and ending time is between 13:00 to 14:00 PM.
9. Is it compulsory to stay at the position assigned until the end?
Volunteering is not practiced out of obligation. All volunteers are given the opportunity to accept or reject the position offered. Once they accept, commitment to the position assigned is expected alike any other of our everyday life, and it is essential like in every project or goal to fully accept all terms pertaining as well as the directions of the team leader.
10. Is there any training before the Race?
There are two short sessions; the first is the general introduction delivered by the Volunteering Program, aiming to present the races, the structure of the event and all related information. The second is the specialised training delivered by the team leader allocated in the specific spot in order to brief the team on the details of its operation. The general is taking place almost a month before the races while the specialised one takes place the day before or the same day on the field of races.
11. Can I run one of the races and offer my services as a volunteer thereafter?
No, in this race, one cannot be a volunteer and a runner simultaneously as the volunteer shift time coinsides with the running one.
12. How do I cancel my application? Can I send some friend in my place?
Volunteering cancellation should be in writing the soonest possible by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Any change or replacement is valid only once approved by the Volunteering Program. ALL volunteers participating in Athens Half Marathon are insured, preventively, like all the personel for the day of the race. Plus, all volunteers wear their personal accreditation.
13. While I volunteer, can I have my children with me?
On the day of the event, many of the areas where the races take place are overcrowded, therefore your children would need appropriate supervision. If you wish to bring your children with you, it is preferable to choose a support station to offer your services where the environment is relatively safer.
14. What do volunteers wear on the day of the event?
All volunteers must wear the T-shirt of the event and their personal accreditation. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
15. Is there a personal items storage area available?
No, there is no special personal items storage area and all volunteers are prompted to carry only the items that are absolutely necessary for personal use.
16. If, the weather is bad, it is rainy, will the race run?
The race will take place under any weather conditions unless there are exceptional circumstances that require the delay, the postponement or the cancellation of the race.
17. If I lose the T-shirt or it gets ruined, can I replace it?
No, it is the responsibility of the volunteer to keep the T-shirt of the event intact until the day of the race.
18. Do I have to return the clothes and the accreditation that I collected after the end of the race?
No. Whatever you receive is a memorabilia of the event.
19. Do I need specific skills or special qualifications in order to volunteer?
No specific skills or requirements are needed in most of the volunteer opportunities, even if every station has its own specifications in order to satisfy the positions needs in terms of supporting the runners and the race. ΅What is absolutely necessary is the smile, the good will, feeling good to work with other people, being ready and eager to live the unique moments when offering sellflessly.
New Half Marathon volunteers are expected to attend the general training session in order to get acquainted with the race. Past and experienced volunteers are also prompted to attend it in order to remember details of the race, the field and get the whole image of the coming race.
20. Do I have to live in Athens in order to volunteer?
No, everybody is welcome to join our team, however, if you a non-Athens resident you will have to take care on your own accommodation the nights before the race.
21. How can I be certain that I receive the e-mails sent by the Volunteering Program?
All the information that is sent by email is already posted in the website plus additional posts are made at VOLUNTEERS/NEWS-ANNOUNCEMENTS section. The sole message that is not posted is the placement one because it is personal for every volunteer and it is sent at the e-mail address noted in the volunteer application. For more information or clarifications, volunteers and anyone interested are kindly asked to contact the Volunteering Program.
The Volunteering Program occasionally sents group e-mails. Please be aware that several e-mail service providers and spam filters redirect our e-mails to the Spam / Junk mail folders of the users or even prevent their receipt. For this reason we advise you to monitor both your e-mail and your spam folder.
22. Who gets the participation certificate, when and how?
All volunteers who marked present by their team leader (check-in/check-out) are eligible to the Certificate of Participation. The certificate is available to download or print one month and half after the race to the relevant section.
