Over 800 Volunteers — The Backbone of the WMTRC 2023
Behind every world-class sporting event stand the people who make it possible. At the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai, over 800 volunteers dedicated their time, energy and expertise to ensure that the competition ran smoothly, safely and memorably. Without their commitment, an event of this scale and complexity in high-mountain terrain would simply not have been feasible.
The volunteer corps of the WMTRC 2023 represented a remarkable cross-section of the Tyrolean community and beyond. Local residents from Innsbruck, the Stubai Valley and surrounding communities formed the core, joined by running enthusiasts from across Austria and international volunteers who travelled specifically to contribute to the championships. Ages ranged from teenagers helping with distribution tasks to retired mountain guides providing their alpine expertise on the most exposed course sections.
The organisers estimated that the combined volunteer contribution exceeded 25,000 person-hours across the championship week, with many helpers working multiple shifts across different race days. This extraordinary collective effort was acknowledged by athletes, team managers and international federation officials as one of the standout features of the WMTRC 2023.
Volunteer Roles at the Championships
Course Marshals
The largest volunteer group consisted of course marshals stationed along the race routes. Given that the championship courses covered terrain ranging from valley paths to high-alpine ridges, course marshalling required both physical fitness and mountain knowledge. Marshals were positioned at every junction, technical section and potential hazard point, ensuring that athletes stayed on course and could receive immediate assistance if needed.
For the Stubai Ultratrail, marshals occupied positions above 2,500 metres for up to 12 hours, exposed to rapidly changing mountain weather. Many of these high-altitude posts were staffed by experienced mountaineers and members of local Alpine clubs, whose familiarity with the terrain proved invaluable when weather conditions deteriorated and course modifications had to be communicated quickly to passing runners.
Aid Station Crews
The aid stations along each race course required teams of volunteers who managed food and drink preparation, distribution, waste management and athlete monitoring. The WMTRC 2023 featured multiple aid stations per race, each staffed by crews of 10 to 20 volunteers who worked in coordinated shifts.
Aid station work demanded both efficiency and empathy. Volunteers needed to serve hundreds of athletes quickly while remaining attentive to signs of distress, hypothermia or injury. The mountain environment added complexity, as some aid stations were accessible only by foot or cable car, requiring volunteers to carry supplies up on the day of the race.
Logistics and Transport
Moving equipment, supplies and personnel across two venue areas — Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley — presented significant logistical challenges. A dedicated team of logistics volunteers managed vehicle coordination, equipment distribution, signage installation and course marking in the days leading up to each race.
The marking of the Stubai Ultratrail course alone required several days of work by teams who hiked the entire route, placing directional markers, safety tape and distance indicators. After each race, the same teams returned to remove all markings, leaving the mountain trails in their natural state — a commitment to environmental responsibility that the organisers and volunteers took seriously.
Finish Line and Ceremony Teams
The finish area at each race venue required its own dedicated volunteer team. These volunteers managed the finish chute, timing systems, athlete recovery areas and the distribution of finisher packages. For the major races, the finish area also included media zones, awards stages and spectator management that demanded careful coordination.
Ceremony volunteers assisted with the organisation of medal ceremonies, anthem protocols and athlete presentations. The WMTRC 2023 featured ceremonies for multiple disciplines across several days, each requiring rehearsal and precise execution to meet international federation standards.
Medical Support
Medical volunteers included doctors, paramedics, nurses and first-aid trained helpers who were distributed across the course, at aid stations and in the finish areas. The mountain terrain required medical responders with alpine experience, as evacuating an injured athlete from a remote trail section at 2,500 metres presents challenges very different from roadside medical support.
The medical team worked closely with local mountain rescue services and the race safety committee to ensure that response plans were in place for every section of every course. Fortunately, the WMTRC 2023 experienced no serious medical incidents, a testament to both the preparation of the athletes and the readiness of the medical volunteers.
Media and Communications Support
A team of media volunteers supported the professional broadcast and photography operations, helping with camera positioning, cable management, live timing data collection and social media content creation. Other communication volunteers staffed information points at venues, answered spectator enquiries and managed the event's online channels during race days.
The Volunteer Experience
Volunteering at the WMTRC 2023 was far more than a work assignment — it was an immersive experience that brought people close to the heart of world-class mountain running. Volunteers witnessed the agony and ecstasy of championship racing at close quarters, shared moments with athletes from dozens of countries and gained insights into the organisation of a major international sporting event.
The organisers ensured that volunteers were well supported throughout the championships. All helpers received meals and refreshments during their shifts, WMTRC 2023 volunteer kit (including a distinctive t-shirt and jacket), transport to and from their assigned positions and comprehensive briefings on their roles and responsibilities.
Social events during the championship week provided opportunities for volunteers to meet each other and the athletes. A volunteer appreciation evening, held after the final race day, brought together hundreds of helpers for an evening of music, food and storytelling that celebrated the collective achievement of the week.
Many volunteers reported that the experience deepened their connection to the sport of trail running and to their local mountain environment. Several described being inspired to take up running themselves after witnessing the determination and joy of the athletes they supported.
How Volunteers Were Recruited
The WMTRC 2023 volunteer recruitment process began over a year before the championships, with an online registration portal and outreach through local sports clubs, community organisations and social media. The ambassador programme played a significant role in raising awareness and encouraging sign-ups, particularly through the local ambassadors' community networks.
Prospective volunteers indicated their availability, skills and preferred roles during registration. The organisers then matched volunteers to positions based on experience, physical fitness requirements and scheduling constraints. Priority was given to those with mountain experience for high-altitude positions, while logistics and venue roles were open to volunteers of all fitness levels.
Training sessions were held in the weeks before the championships, covering race-specific information, safety protocols, communication procedures and role-specific skills. Course marshals received additional briefings on the exact sections they would be responsible for, including familiarisation walks or runs on the actual race routes.
The Impact of Volunteering
The impact of the WMTRC 2023 volunteer programme extended well beyond the championship week itself. For the host communities, the programme strengthened social connections, brought together people from different backgrounds and age groups, and created a shared sense of achievement that contributed to community pride.
Several volunteers went on to support other trail running events in the region, carrying the skills and experience they gained at the WMTRC into future event organisations. Local running clubs reported increased membership and activity following the championships, partly driven by the enthusiasm of former volunteers.
The programme also demonstrated the capacity of the Innsbruck-Stubai region to host large-scale international sporting events, a legacy that continues to benefit the area's sporting tourism infrastructure and event hosting reputation.
Thank You to Every Volunteer
The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 would not have been possible without every single one of the 800-plus volunteers who gave their time. From the marshals standing in mountain rain to the logistics teams working through the night, from the medical responders waiting patiently at remote trail posts to the smiling faces at aid stations handing out water and encouragement — each contribution was essential to the success of the event.
The international trail running community owes a debt of gratitude to these men and women who demonstrated that the spirit of mountain sport is not confined to the athletes on the start line. It lives equally in those who stand alongside the course, ready to help, support and celebrate. The volunteers of the WMTRC 2023 embodied this spirit completely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering at the WMTRC 2023
How many volunteers worked at the WMTRC 2023?
Over 800 volunteers contributed to the WMTRC 2023 across all race days and disciplines. This number included course marshals, aid station crews, logistics teams, medical responders, media helpers and ceremony staff. The combined volunteer contribution exceeded 25,000 person-hours over the championship week.
Did volunteers need mountain experience?
Mountain experience was required for specific roles, particularly course marshals stationed at high-altitude positions above 2,000 metres. These positions were filled by experienced mountaineers and Alpine Club members. Many other roles, including aid station support, logistics, venue management and media assistance, did not require mountain experience and were open to all volunteers.
What did volunteers receive for their participation?
All volunteers received meals and refreshments during shifts, WMTRC 2023 volunteer kit (including a branded t-shirt and jacket), transport to and from their positions, comprehensive role briefings and an invitation to the volunteer appreciation evening. The experience itself — being part of a world championship event — was considered by many to be the greatest reward.
Were international volunteers accepted?
Yes, the WMTRC 2023 welcomed volunteers from outside Austria. A number of trail running enthusiasts from neighbouring countries and further afield registered as volunteers, motivated by their passion for the sport and the opportunity to experience a world championship from the inside. Language skills (German and English) were helpful but not required for all positions.
How long were volunteer shifts?
Shift lengths varied by role and race. For shorter races like the Vertical Race, course marshal shifts typically lasted 3 to 5 hours. For the Stubai Ultratrail, high-altitude marshal positions required commitments of up to 12 hours due to the length of the race and the logistical difficulty of staff changes in remote mountain locations. Aid station and venue volunteers generally worked 6 to 8 hour shifts.
What was the most challenging volunteer role?
High-altitude course marshals on the Stubai Ultratrail route faced the most physically demanding conditions. These volunteers spent long hours at exposed mountain positions above 2,500 metres, dealing with cold temperatures, wind, rain and the isolation of remote trail sections. Their alpine competence, endurance and dedication were essential to the safety of the athletes on course.
Did the volunteer programme include training?
Yes, all volunteers received role-specific training in the weeks before the championships. Training covered race rules and procedures, safety protocols, communication systems, first-aid basics and role-specific skills. Course marshals additionally completed familiarisation walks or runs on their assigned sections to ensure they knew the terrain thoroughly before race day.
Will future mountain running events in Innsbruck-Stubai use a similar volunteer model?
The WMTRC 2023 volunteer programme established a template that subsequent events in the region have adopted and refined. The database of trained volunteers, the organisational framework and the strong relationships with local clubs and communities provide a foundation for future events. Many former WMTRC volunteers have gone on to support other trail running competitions in the area.