Guiding Tips and Tricks

Volunteer Guidelines for Runners

To ensure everyone’s safety during workouts, it's important that no runner is out of sight of a volunteer—unless they are very experienced. Volunteers play a key role in keeping runners safe, so feel free to provide guidance when needed.

All guides and support runners should keep their phone on them at all times and be prepared to call or text their Achilles point of contact and/or 911 in case of an emergency.  Be prepared to give as much information as possible to the operator

If you’re supporting multiple runners, keep track of how many are out there and make sure you have someone at the back to help everyone return safely.

Stay Alert for Traffic

The biggest risk comes from traffic, especially during twilight and at night. As a volunteer, please:

• Position yourself between the runners and oncoming cars.
• Keep an eye on traffic, and if you see a stream of cars approaching, signal them to slow down or move aside.
• Remind runners to stay aware of their surroundings.

Remember, cars can cut corners and might not anticipate our runners’ speeds. For those in wheelchairs who prefer the edge of the road, using flashing lights or being extra cautious is crucial.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and supported!

Route

• If running at an organized workout where people choose their own distance etc., be familiar with the possible routes based on distance.  

• If running in an organized race, familiarizing yourself with the route in advance is helpful.  Race courses should be marked, but you never know.   
• Basically, be prepared to understand geographic directions so that you can confidently guide an athlete who may not be as familiar with the area. 

Encouraging Our Runners/Walkers

Once our runners can comfortably complete five miles, it’s time to gently encourage them to pick up the pace. This can be especially important for blind runners, who may feel a bit more hesitant. Many runners might not yet have experienced the joy of running faster, so your support is key!

For those with systemic diseases, it’s important to encourage rest or a slower pace whenever needed. If you’re running with someone new or someone managing a condition, make sure you’re familiar with heart monitoring techniques and how to use them effectively.

Creating a Welcoming Environment

We want everyone to feel comfortable, so avoid pushing new runners too hard. The first workout should be a mix of observing and participating—lots of chatting and getting to know each other! Ask about their training outside of our fortnightly sessions. Ideally, we’d like them to aim for three workouts a week, each lasting at least 20 minutes. If they’re struggling to fit this in, help them brainstorm some creative options.

Also, try to connect with different runners each time you come out. Building relationships across the group helps everyone feel included and supported!

Celebrating Every Achievement

Every runner’s accomplishment is remarkable, no matter the distance! Short races are just as significant as marathons—sometimes even more so, as they allow for consistent training without long recovery times. A 10-minute workout is just as valuable for a beginner as a 10-kilometre run is for a seasoned athlete, and we should celebrate all efforts equally.

As a volunteer, do your best to accommodate each runner’s preferences during workouts. However, it’s important to maintain a balance so we don’t end up running too late or becoming too individualistic. Group workouts foster camaraderie and motivation, so it’s perfectly okay to set guidelines around the route and timing.

Remember, your enjoyment as a volunteer is crucial! Our energy and enthusiasm set the tone for everyone involved. If anything is affecting your experience, please feel free to share it. We’re here because we love what we do and enjoy each other’s company!

Pre-Race and Race Day Tips

Aim to arrive at the starting line about 15 minutes before the Achilles start time—roughly half an hour early. This gives you a chance to help with any last-minute details like picking up numbers, timing, or finding the starting location. Most races have plenty of water available, but if you’re accompanying someone who runs at a slower pace, it’s a good idea to bring some along. If you know who you’ll be supporting, check in with them ahead of time to see if they need anything—like extra gloves for wheelchair pushing, snacks, or adhesive tape.

During the early part of the race, your role will be to help set a steady, comfortable pace. If the main pack catches up, be sure to keep your runner safe by guiding them to the side, especially when they’re drinking water. For wheelchair runners, you might need to run ahead on uphill sections so you can regroup at the bottom of the hill, and be mindful of any steep downhill stretches to ensure safety.

A quick reminder: avoid giving physical assistance unless your runner is hurt or exhausted and has stopped. This is a standard rule in running events, and it’s especially important for disabled athletes. Pushing a wheelchair for two kms on their own is often more rewarding than doing five kms with help.

Make sure to cross the finish line with your runner, and afterwards, help them find their belongings and arrange their ride home.

Understanding and Communication

Don’t hesitate to ask about an athlete’s disability and how it came about; many people appreciate the opportunity to share their stories. Open conversations help you better understand their needs and create a more supportive environment. Athletes know that it’s important to help train volunteers and coaches in understanding their specific requirements.

Keep in mind that some individuals may joke about their situation, while others might prefer a more serious approach. It’s all about being attentive and adaptable - try to put yourself in their shoes and respond naturally to each person’s comfort level.

Running with a Blind Athlete 

• Run beside your athlete. If you are in front, even slightly, the athlete can trip on your feet. 

• When using a tether, do not tie it around your, or your athlete's wrist.  This could be dangerous should either of you fall. Elite Blind Runners may ask you to be tethered to their waist but this is not the norm.  

• In the beginning, have your athlete hold your elbow, or hold your end of the tether close to your athlete’s hand. As you get more comfortable with your athlete, you may loosen up, allowing more distance between you. It’s normal for forearms or elbows to touch at first. As you and your athlete grow in confidence this contact will decrease. 

• Key verbal cues  

• "GENTLE RIGHT/LEFT” to indicate a gentle curve in the path  

• “90 DEGREES” or “SHARP LEFT/RIGHT” 

• “TIGHTEN UP” tells the athlete to get close, and hold your elbow as you navigate a narrow or congested passage (bridges, biker coming, etc.) 

• “STOP” when both guide and athlete need to stop quickly (dog/car/obstacle darts in front of path) 

• Give an estimated distance to the top or bottom of a hill, bridge, curb, etc. If you see an uneven surface coming, it helps to count down, “Pothole coming in 3, 2, 1, take a big step!” 

• Also be mindful to call out things that the athlete may enjoy hearing about the landscape/environment surrounding you.  e.g. bridges, trees, statues, other runners, bikers, landmarks, sunset, ice cream truck etc. 
  

Running with an athlete with low or limited vision 

• Not all visually impaired runners run with a tether. You may be assigned to a runner with limited vision who does not require a tether. Should that happen, the visual cues above are still very important.  

• Don’t assume that runners/walkers coming toward you are aware that the person you are accompanying is blind. 

Running with an athlete who has a mobility impairment 

• Examples include: those with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury or paralysis, amputees, an athlete with specific balance issues etc. From time to time an athlete might lose their balance and might need to steady themselves and hold on to you. Don’t be alarmed if this happens. It is typically only for a moment or two. In the case of a runner with a TBI, this might happen when making a sharp turn. If an athlete falls down, first ask if they are okay. Then ask if they need assistance with getting back on their feet rather than taking physical action.  

Running with an athlete who is on the autism spectrum or those with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• In addition to safety, the most important thing is to be compassionate and a good listener/observer.
  

• If the person you are guiding is non-verbal, you may not be sure that your presence is helping them. Rest assured, you are providing a great service to the athlete you are guiding by keeping them safe and motivated.
  

• Try to make conversation while you are out. If the person you are guiding does not respond after a few attempts, it’s okay. They may decide to open up to you later on during the run.
  

• Just because someone may be nonverbal it does not mean they do not understand.   

Running with an athlete who participates in their wheelchair or very occasionally a handcycle 

Typically handcyclists and wheelchair athletes do not workout with a guide, however, there are some exceptions.  They usually need support with set up and pack down if anything.

When assisting a wheeler, please keep the following in mind:  

• A flag at standing eye level height is required 

• Safety helmets are required 

• Wheels can be faster than legs - particularly on a downhill.  Be prepared and know your route

Timing Your Run

Make sure you or your runner starts a stopwatch as you cross the starting line and stops it when you finish. Race officials may not provide special timing for early starters, so it’s best to keep track yourself. Also, don’t rely too much on the published results, as you won’t have a clear idea of when the main pack started.

If your runner aims for a fast time, assist them in calculating their pace per mile and help them stick to that target pace - no faster!

Communication with the Chapter Lead/Guide Director

You report to the Chapter Lead/Guide Director, so don’t hesitate to ask about anything that’s on your mind - whether it’s about your runner’s well-being or your own. You know your runners better than anyone else, and even if your questions seem minor, they could highlight something important we might have overlooked. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and we want to ensure everyone is happy and supported!

Keep in mind that not all athletes have a visible disability  

You may be assigned to support an athlete whose disability is not immediately visible. Provide guidance and friendly support.  That is the job. 

Lastly, when in doubt, apply the ‘golden rule:’  Treat others as you would like to be treated.