Interested in volunteering at Arc of Attrition by UTMB?
IN ANGELS WE TRUST
Arc Angels - you may have heard the name. These are our legendary team of volunteers who make a real difference to the runners' experience. They are one of the stand out features of any Arc of Attrition race.
Think you've got what it takes to provide excellent customer care and heaps of motivation in the depths of a winter ultra race? Then read on.
Whether it's helping at one of our many aid stations, ensuring our runners are well fed and hydrated, or following the course to ensure each participant is looked after, there's a role to suit everyone. You could be helping with the race start at the Minack Theatre, or providing assistance at Porthtowan to our incredible finishers, and lots of places in between. Wherever you are located, you'll be surrounded by other enthusiastic and passionate volunteers who love the South West and want to showcase true Cornish community spirit at its best!
Volunteers will be required from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 January 2026. There will be a variety of roles to suit all abilities and levels of previous volunteering experience. To join our team of Arc Angels you will need to complete the sign-up form (available summer 2025).
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS - OPENING SUMMER 2025
Volunteer sign-ups for Arc of Attrition 2026 will open later this year. Check back in the summer for more information.
Frequently asked questions
The simple answer is no.
While experience of event volunteering is useful (if you have some), it won't exclude you from volunteering at Arc of Attrition.
Previous event experience is not essential and you do not have to be a trail runner to volunteer. If you're new to volunteering at events, we will help guide you and ensure you have all the information you need before joining us.
We can only accept volunteer applications from individuals who will be at least 18 years old at the start of the event.
Yes, we're keen to discuss having groups volunteer at the event.
If you are a member of a sports club, running group, community centre, youth programme or any other type of group which is interested in volunteering at Arc of Attrition, please contact volunteers.uk@utmb.world with your name and details of your group. We'll be in touch to see how we can get you involved.
The perfect scenario for us is all volunteers are available over the whole extended weekend (four days). However, we know this is unlikely. We can accept volunteers who are free for two, three or four days.
We will consider volunteers who are only available for one day, but for a better chance of being selected we would prefer volunteers to be available for at least two days.
Each volunteer shift will last approximately 8-9 hours. Some shifts may be slightly longer. Therefore, if you are available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday you may be allocated a shift on each day. This would total approximately 24 hours.
Importantly, we know how precious people's time is these days, and we are grateful for any support you can give to help deliver Arc of Attrition. Within the sign-up form you can inform us what times you are available.
We will initially select volunteers who are able to provide as much time as possible. Volunteers who are available for three or four days will receive priority on their role. However, we will try our best to find a role which you could fulfill even if you are only available for one or two days.
We will not know the exact shift timings until nearer the event.
Within the volunteer sign-up form you can select what role you would like to do. This includes information on where the role will be based.
We cannot guarantee you will be based at the role and location you have requested, as this depends on whether the timings match, and how many volunteer sign-ups we receive.
We will do our best to allocate you either your first or second choice volunteer role.
Yes of course! We massively appreciate the time and efforts that you all give up to help support the runners and the event. And without you all, it all couldn't happen.
More information on the benefits, perks and support offered to our Arc Angel volunteers will be available in September 2025.
Each person who has successfully signed up to be a volunteer will receive details on their role before the event. These will be e-mailed to you.
This will include a briefing document outlining key information such as important tasks to complete at the event, where you need to be and when.
Each group of volunteers will be led by an experienced Arc Angel Captain. They will show you how to do your role and be available for any additional support through the event. If you are unsure of any part of your role, you can discuss this with your Arc Angel Captain.
Once you've completed your form, and we've reviewed your details, we'll have you included as part of the team! You don't need to do anything more. Just put the Arc of Attrition dates of Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 January 2026 in your diary to volunteer with us!
You'll be contacted after volunteer sign-ups close with information on your Arc Angel role and shifts.
We anticipate that everyone who signs up will be successful. However, if we are oversubscribed and receive more applications than we have positions available, we may decide to close volunteer sign-ups earlier. Therefore, we recommend you complete your volunteer sign-up as soon as possible.
If you have a question about volunteering at Arc of Attrition, which isn't listed above, please contact us by e-mailing volunteers.uk@utmb.world. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Please note: our volunteer inbox is not monitored daily and responses may take up to several days.
