The organisers of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai have opened registration for volunteers. Hundreds of helpers are needed to ensure the smooth running of five championship races and the accompanying festival programme across the Innsbruck and Stubai Valley venues. Whether you are a passionate mountain runner, a local resident or simply someone who wants to be part of a world-class sporting event, volunteering at the WMTRC 2023 offers a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
Volunteer roles span every aspect of the championship operation. Course marshals are needed at checkpoints and critical junctions along the five race routes, from the steep Vertical Race course to the demanding Stubai Ultratrail. Aid station crews manage nutrition and hydration points at altitude, often in exposed mountain locations that require a degree of fitness and mountain experience. Start and finish area teams handle timing, athlete management and crowd control in the Innsbruck event zone.
Beyond the races themselves, volunteers are essential to the pre-championship festival programme. The festival brings together the international running community for expo events, athlete presentations, public races and cultural activities in the days leading up to the championship races. Festival volunteers assist with event logistics, registration, information points and hospitality for the national team delegations.
The organising committee emphasised that no specific qualifications are required for most volunteer roles, though mountain experience is preferred for positions at high-altitude aid stations and remote course sections. "We need people who are reliable, enthusiastic and willing to work as part of a team," said the volunteer coordinator. "In return, you get to be right at the heart of a world championship — closer to the action than any spectator."
All volunteers receive an official WMTRC 2023 volunteer kit including clothing, meals during their shifts, and a certificate of participation. Those assigned to mountain positions also receive appropriate safety briefings and are integrated into the event's medical and communications infrastructure. The organising team stressed that volunteer safety is a top priority, particularly for those stationed above 2,000 metres on the championship courses.
The volunteer programme is structured around flexible shift patterns, allowing helpers to choose roles and days that suit their availability. Many volunteers sign up for the entire championship week, while others contribute a single day. "We understand that people have other commitments," the coordinator noted. "Even one day of volunteering makes a real difference to the athletes and the event."
For those interested in the sport, volunteering also provides an unparalleled opportunity to watch world-class mountain and trail running up close. Course marshals at key mountain passages witness elite athletes pushing through the most demanding terrain, while finish area volunteers experience the emotion of championship victories and personal triumphs firsthand.
Registration is available through the official WMTRC 2023 volunteering page. Interested volunteers are encouraged to sign up early, as positions at the most popular mountain locations fill quickly. The organising committee aims to recruit sufficient volunteers well in advance to allow thorough briefing and assignment planning before the championship week begins.
Roles include course marshalling at mountain checkpoints, aid station crew at nutrition and hydration points, start/finish area management, festival event logistics, registration and information desk staffing, athlete hospitality, and media support. Positions range from valley-level venues to high-altitude mountain locations above 2,000 metres.
Mountain experience is preferred for high-altitude positions such as remote course marshalling and mountain aid stations, but it is not required for most roles. Valley-level positions in the start/finish area, at the festival expo, and at registration points do not require specific outdoor experience. All mountain-based volunteers receive safety briefings before their shifts.
All volunteers receive an official WMTRC 2023 volunteer kit including branded clothing, meals during their assigned shifts, a certificate of participation, and the experience of being part of a world championship event. Mountain-based volunteers also receive safety equipment briefings and are connected to the event's communication system.
The volunteer programme offers flexible scheduling. You can volunteer for a single day or for the entire championship week, depending on your availability. The organising team works with each volunteer to assign shifts that fit their schedule. Even one day of support is valued and makes a meaningful contribution to the event.
Volunteer registration is available through the official WMTRC 2023 volunteering page. Early registration is recommended as popular mountain positions fill quickly. After signing up, the volunteer coordination team will contact you with role options, shift assignments and briefing details.
The pre-championship festival is a multi-day programme of expo events, athlete presentations, public races and cultural activities held in Innsbruck before the championship races begin. Volunteers can sign up specifically for festival roles, which include event setup, information points, registration support and hospitality. Festival volunteering is a great option for those who want to experience the championship atmosphere without committing to mountain-based race day positions.