Why Would Anyone Volunteer at a Mountain Ultra? [Albanian Mountain ULTRA]

What does it take to keep a 100 km ultramarathon in the Albanian mountains running? I spent the weekend volunteering with Ultra 4 Charity and caught up with some of my fellow volunteers to find out what they do, and why they keep coming back.

Maisie, one of the therapists, was strapping and taping ankles at checkpoint two after a first day of rolled ankles on the trail. Nick, one of the volunteer medics, spent the weekend dealing with heat-related illness, with temperatures 10–15° above average for the time of year. He also had to have the tough conversations about whether it’s safe to keep going. Charlie, the social media intern, explains how you interview runners who are completely exhausted. And Steve, my angel running partner, explains why he likes keeping the back of the pack going.

We also get into the perks, from travel expenses to some free kit, and the real reason everyone’s there.