The Marshal Club
Every round is run by volunteers: marshals, timing, sign-on and race officials. Even one session at one race is a big help.
What you could do
Marshal
Stand at a course point, help riders stay on track, cheer them on, keep the course clear and safe, and report any issues by radio or phone. You'll get a short briefing before racing starts, so you're never left unsure what to do.
Timing crew
Prefer to stay near HQ rather than roam the woods? Join timing instead, noting down or calling out rider numbers as they pass. Simple, essential, and a great way to help if standing out on course isn't for you.
Chief & Deputy Comms
New race-official roles for 2026. Chief Comms runs race day: overseeing safety, supervising marshals and volunteers, approving course setup, handling disputes or incidents, and verifying results. Deputy Comms backs them up by monitoring course sections for rule compliance, helping manage the start line, and backing up timekeepers and marshals. Full training is given.
Racing later and free in the morning? Watching a friend? Bringing a parent, partner or mate who's willing to help? You're all welcome, and every extra pair of hands makes the day run better.
Sign up for a shift
Every round has three shift options, tick one or more below:
- Morning (08:30–11:30), earns a free drink and 50% off a race entry.
- Afternoon (11:30–14:30), earns a free drink and 50% off a race entry.
- Full day (08:30–14:30), earns a free drink, hot food and a free race entry.
Marshals are 16 or over, or under 16 with an adult alongside them. Marshals are posted on the course and are never left alone with children.
| Round | Morning | Afternoon | Full day |
|---|---|---|---|
Round 1: Potash Woods, Rochford Sun 14/03/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 2: Potash Woods, Rochford Sun 04/04/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 3: Gallows Green, Lindsell Sun 18/04/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 4: Potash Woods, Rochford Sun 09/05/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 5: Gallows Green, Lindsell Sun 23/05/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 6: Potash Woods, Rochford Sun 06/06/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Round 7: Potash Woods, Rochford Sun 04/07/2027 | 12 left | 12 left | 12 left |
Marshal Club perks
For each race you help at as a marshal or timing crew, you earn:
- Half day: a free drink (hot or cold) and 50% off race entry.
- Full day: a free drink, free hot food, and a free race entry.
The entry reward is added to your account as a credit as soon as we've marked your shift as done. Use it on any single-round entry in your basket, or pass it to another rider, who gets an email and finds it in their own account.
As a Marshal Club member you also get an end-of-season appreciation shout-out and prize draw, a briefing before every race so you always know what to do, and you get to know the other riders, supporters and parents who keep MTB east running.
Comms team members additionally get travel to and from the venue reimbursed at 45p/mile, free hot food and drinks through the day, and their own Comms kit (coat, hoodie and T-shirt).
In an emergency
Serious incidents are rare, but if one happens:
- Make sure you are safe first.
- Call it in immediately to control, by radio or phone.
- Keep the area safe for the casualty and other riders.
- The medical and comms team take over from there.
You'll always get a simple briefing before racing starts, so you're never left unsure.
Get involved
Or just drop us a message, or talk to us on race day. Local clubs including Southend Wheelers, Rayleigh MTB Club and Hadleigh MTB Club regularly send marshals to cover courses across the region too. If your club wants to get involved the same way, get in touch: info@mtbeast.co.uk.