Marshal Tips

Dear Marshal

Thank you so much for volunteering for The RBS Caledonian Challenge.

Now that you have signed up, please do let us know immediately if there is any reason or problem that might later mean you won't be able to make it on the weekend. We have a huge problem from year to year making sure those that originally said they'd help actually turn up. Your presence at the event is vital and it is important that the organisers can trust and rely on you.

By early June, you will be given finer details on where to be and at what time, with details of accomodation, food, etc.

Responsibilities

Being a marshal is a huge responsibility as it is the walkers welfare and safety in your hands. Your areas of responsibility could include:

• Helping to register walkers
• Organising traffic and parking
• Checking in walkers at different checkpoints
• Collecting the walking wounded
• Handing out water
• Putting lifejackets on walkers
• Cheering on and boosting morale
• Assisting medics and St Andrews ambulance
• Being visible and available to anyone who requires assistance or help

Recommended Marshals Kit List

• MAP - Event maps will be distributed to each checkpoint, but we advise you to have a road map in the car so you can find your checkpoint in the first place!
• Wide-rimmed sun hat, sun cream and sunglasses
• Waterproofs
• Fleece
• Towel
• Woolly hat
• Gloves
• Torch
• Whistle
• Mobile phone
• Comfortable shoes/trainers
• Pillow
• Pocket knife
• EVERYONE is encouraged to bring sleeping bags, tents and an alarm clock!
• Umbrella
• Warm clothes
• Washing kit/soap
• Spare clothes and plenty of socks
• Spare boots
• Anti-midge repellent, midge net and clothes that cover all skin are essential in the early evening, the midges can be a nightmare!

Logistics

At the start of June, you will receive further details of where to be and at what time.

Please arrive at your checkpoint at the times specified by your chief marshal. These times have been set with the assumption that you will need at least 1 - 2 hours to familiarise yourself with the checkpoint facilities, as well as meet your fellow marshals and chief marshal. It also includes some free time in case you get lost on the way. Please report for duty to the chief marshal upon arriving at your checkpoint.
Please take note that your help is much appreciated as we have quite an operation to organise with around 1500 walkers and a further 750 plus people in support teams. This is Scotland's top charity endurance event and we hope to raise many thousands of pounds. Your help is just as necessary as the walkers taking part - it is their safety you will be in charge of, so it is vital that you pay attention to the instructions you are given now and on the day. If you are asked to get some sleep, please try and do this, as without alert marshals, accidents are just waiting to happen.

It is also vital that the marshals, despite often trying circumstances, retain a high degree of humour and competence. However tired, try to keep up morale not just for the walkers and their support teams but for the other marshals too. A simple smile is better than nothing. Remember it isn’t you that is necessarily going through a pain barrier. Tiredness is rife, emotions run high, tempers are short and everyone will be so appreciative of the smallest morale boost.

REMEMBER:

• Remind walkers they must check in and alert the retiree marshal if they are not continuing.
• Keep noise to a minimum in built-up areas, especially in the early hours
• Drive with caution - you might be awake for 30 hours depending on your checkpoint's requirements, so please make sure you get some sleep before driving anywhere. Other than catching some sleep in the car at various checkpoints, there will be the opportunity to use a bunk house, tent or wigwam.
• Fill up with petrol before the night section in Fort William, Onich, Glen Coe and Tyndrum (Tyndrum is open 7am-10pm)
• Only walkers and event officials are allowed at the water stops, so please ask all others to move on. This is for safety reasons, as congestion at these mainly roadside venues could cause an accident. If necessary, threaten to disqualify their team if they don’t move on - that normally works!

PLEASE READ ALL THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you think of any extra ones PLEASE click here and let the organisers know.

• Prize giving will be held at 12 noon, at the Finish, all marshals (if you have the energy!) are very welcome to join at this final gathering.
• At the finish area, there are NO shower or washing facilities. Please do not attempt to swim in Loch Lomond!!
• Disqualify any walker you find walking along the road, (unless genuinely lost or injured). Do not instruct any one to walk down the road unless specifically instructed by one of the event organisers. Under NO circumstances will this order come from anyone else.
• Let walkers know about the West Highland Way Marathon runners heading towards Fort William, and ask our walkers to give them plenty of room on their 95 mile jog.
• If you are given a report of a walker in trouble, please inform the chief marshal at your station / checkpoint. Failing that, immediately advise the Army medics and radio communications centre at your checkpoint. If necessary, the helicopter will be sent to their rescue with a medic. The event organisers, Army medics and the officer-in-command will make this decision at the time. Do not try to influence this and please only report the facts as given.
• Ask the walkers to carry any litter they might have to the next rubbish skip.
• Make sure walkers display their number at all times.
• Remind walkers to inform the retiree marshal if they decide for whatever reason to retire from the walk at any stage. If you are given this information, immediately make a note and pass this on to the retiree marshal, who will inform event HQ and the subsequent checkpoints. From a safety perspective, please ensure the necessary action has been taken. This will save sending out rescue parties and prevent the event organisers and emergency services who might waste time looking for walkers on the hillside.

As above, we will be in touch at the start of June with exact locations and timing, however, if you have any questions before this, please do contact us on:
Email: amckichan@scottishcf.org
Tel: 0131 524 0350

We look forward to seeing you for this unique fundraising event.

Best wishes and many thanks!

The RBS Caledonian Challenge Events Team