Highlighting RMB UTCT volunteers is important to us, recognising that the roles in the event are the heartbeat of the event come Race Weekend.
As part of that recognition, we've featured some of RMB UTCT’s key volunteers and the impact they’ve made on the event, the runners and the community over the years.
DAVE WAYWELL
Dave has seen the iterations of RMB UTCT, from 2017 to what it is now and keeps coming back to support and volunteer to connect and give back to the sport that he gets so much from.
Our most frequent volunteer, Dave, is one-of-a-kind who loves people and trail running. Knowing that Dave is part of the team and running one of our busiest Aid Stations, means that we can relax as we know he’s going to manage it at a high level and handle any curve balls that come his way.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
As a regular back of the pack trail runner, volunteering to help at RMB UTCT enabled me to meet other like minded people at the same time giving me the opportunity to see elite and more experienced athletes in action.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
I just love the vibe of the event and being able to give a little bit back to the sport I enjoy.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
There are so many memories, I believe the best are simply those moments when you see a participant arriving at the aid station, totally exhausted and he or she seeing a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers standing there waiting to help them to get over their exhaustion.
Other memories are those quiet moments in the early hours of the morning around 3am whilst we wait for the runners to arrive at the station and again seeing the delight on the faces of a lonely athlete when he/she sees a smiling face and a place to rest up even for just a short while.
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Just expect the unexpected, embrace the event and enjoy the moment. You will be inspired.
CLOSING WORDS FROM DAVE
I have helped at various events and can honestly say that the RMB UTCT has to be the best organised of them all.
JUSTIN LESLIE
Justin is always someone we can count on to put his hand up to help with route marking, sweeping and anything else that we ask of him, and he does it with a smile and a great attitude.
“Dedication” is the word Justin describes his experience volunteering and connecting with the Cape Town trail community.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
I ran my first RMB UTCT in 2016 and have taken part in one race distance or another almost every year since then. Seeing the race grow with each and every year I knew I just wanted to be part of the event other than just running a race. Volunteering during race week really completes the whole experience for me that is RMB UTCT race week.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
The passion and excitement that everyone has been a part of the experience of race week is definitely one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Also seeing the volunteering with the same people each year is another reason why I keep coming back.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
Probably having to gear check Ryan Sandes for the 100km race last year.
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
If you have ever been on the fence about running any of the distances for RMB UTCT but are unsure for any reason, come volunteer at the race village and you will be back next year running!
CLOSING WORDS FROM JUSTIN
The people who volunteer in some form or other are amazing. I see the same people year after year and it truly shows how strong the trail running community is in Cape Town and how it's gone from strength to strength each and every year.
BENOIT VUILLERMOZ
We can always count on Benoit to look after elites and internationals, translating anything into French and just generally helping at Race Village and helping out on the route. Whatever needs doing, we know we can rely on him to be there.
“Life-changing” is the word (two words) he’d put down in describing what it means to volunteer at RMB UTCT.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2019, 2020 (Special Edition)
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
Cape Town has changed my life. Moving far from where I grew up can be challenging but at the same time very rewarding as we must adapt and evolve. My life has evolved so much by living here through the people, places etc.
Finishing my first 100km at RMB UTCT has been a huge boost for me and I would not have been able to do it without the community here. So I wanted to give back what I received.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
Incredible opportunities to meet people from all over the world coming together here with the local community and in this amazing place.
The atmosphere is so great, it's a big honour each year to be part of such an event.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
I'm very lucky to help international runners that are coming here. It goes beyond running because you get to know them as a human being.
It helps me not only to evolve as a runner but even more as a person. It's very hard to pick one moment as there are so many.
I will choose one in 2021, somehow the beginning of this role with Alix Noblat and Mathieu Blanchard. It did set the tone for the following years. Mathieu is such a nice person together with Alix and they have helped me to evolve and have more confidence and believe in myself. Not only on the trails but also in the day to day life.
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Feel grateful and proud of being part of such an event.
CLOSING WORDS FROM BENOIT
GO RMB UTCT!!!
PHUMEZA BOBOTYANA
Always enthusiastic, always game to help with anything, Phumi is always willing to step in and support wherever it is needed.
She’s a gem on the registration team and engages with people with an every-ready smile and friendliness beyond measure.
“Skills development” is the term she’d put down to describe her experience volunteering at RMB UTCT.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2019, 2021
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
I had not had enough money for an entry, my best bet to still be involved in this world class was to volunteer.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
Wow! It's the stage, the event is an Epic, world class event.
The joy of serving the runners being a runner myself, to witness all the beauty, all the hard work that has been put into preparation for the event unfold. Seeing the international top athletes in person and the fun that is held.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
Meeting Courtney Dauwalter and Jim Walmsley in person and taking pics with them..
The year 2021 was most memorable. If my memory serves me well, I was involved in the testing tent clearing runners if they can take part in the event..
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
The fulfilment you get is immeasurable, to witness and be involved in this world class event is incredible and most of all it is mad fun!
CLOSING WORDS FROM PHUMEZA
Thank you for the opportunity, if anything this event has done for me is to add value and offer exposure. Thank you.
ISHMA-EEL AND ZULFAH SAMAAI
A power couple, running one of our biggest Aid Stations, UCT, like a well-oiled machine. They look after a crew of forty people with ease and efficiency.
They both put everything behind what they do come race weekend and invest time and energy, love and passion into the people that come through the Aid Station, whether running or supporting, assisting or crewing.
EDITIONS VOLUNTEERING
2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START
VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
Ishma-eel: I ran TM35km and as a runner I appreciated the assistance & support from the volunteers at the Aid Stations. One year, I was injured and volunteered my services as I knew I would suffer from FOMO.
Zulfah: My love for trail running is where it all started nearly a decade ago. My husband and I ran the race a few times but after some health issues, things slowed down and started supporting my running crews on their training runs. Ashraf Orrie asked my husband and I if we would be interested in volunteering at the UCT Aid Station. We initially joined as support crew back in 2017 and in 2021, Ishma-eel and I co-captained the UCT Aid Station. The rest, as they say, is history.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
Ishma-eel: We always draw strength from the support and encouragement of supporters. What better way to assist runners by being part of the Aid Station crew.
Zulfah: The atmosphere and gees of the race and the sense of fulfilment and joy I get from giving back to my trail-running community as I've been at the receiving end, so I know what the support at the UCT Aid Station means especially when you still have to climb/crawl up Blockhouse on dead legs!
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
Ishma-eel: The words of appreciation (even weeks afterwards) from a 100 miler participant when I offered him a bed & blankets so that he could sleep. The look on his face was like I offered him a night stay at The One & Only Hotel.
Zulfah: There are SO many good memories but the two stand out memories would have to be back in 2021 when Courtney Dauwalter took an ice bath/shower at the UCT Aid Station (my fan girl moment) and in 2023 when I served soup and noodles to local trail royalty Robbie Rorich (I was on the graveyard shift but I couldn't stop smiling).
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
Ishma-eel: Enjoy the awesome vibe and experience of trail-running from a different perspective.
Zulfah: Don’thesitate to give of your time. The reward far outweighs the sacrifice and the sense of fulfilment and joy that you get from giving to others is priceless.
CLOSING WORDS FROM ZULFAH
In the words of the late and the great Nelson Mandela "A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination".
CHRIS JACOBS
A team player like no other. Nothing is too big an ask, and he’s helped over the years with all elements. From fire-fighting (almost literally) to forerunning, the kms he’s put under his feet helping the event would stack up to several milers.
He’s an enormous asset to the team and we welcome him to any role knowing he’ll flourish.
“Camaraderie”, one word he’d use to describe volunteering at RMB UTCT.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2019, 2020, 2021 (Chris was volunteer of the year!), 2022, 2023
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
Giving back to the event after racing it for a few years.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
Camaraderie of fellow volunteers.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
Too many. Forerunning on Chapmans peak before sunrise watching the headlamps of the back of the 100 mile field descend Suther Peak.
Re-marking the route in the howling wind after the fire in 2022. Watching the flares from the start of the 100km from the top of Platteklip then watching the runners' lights moving through the city and onto the trails.
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
If you enjoy long nights on the mountain, the night forerunning sections are the best nights on the mountain.
ISAK WÜST
Isak Wüst, one of the integral members of the trail running community in Cape Town.
He is a pleasure to have on any of the volunteer teams, as one that quietly gets on with whatever task.
He is always there, always reliable and never looks to make noise about himself, rather highlighting the runners.
EDITIONS AS A VOLUNTEER
2018, 2019, 2021, 2023
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START VOLUNTEERING AT RMB UTCT?
I wanted to be part of a community which put together this amazing event in my backyard. I wanted to see it grow.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK TO HELP EACH YEAR?
It's good exercise! Honestly, it's the least I can do to give back to a community which means a lot to me.
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OR MOMENT FROM THE TIME VOLUNTEERING
There was one particularly memorable year - 2019, where we encountered quite a few anomalies along the route. Like a small veldfire, a movie set, and a locked gate which required some physical persuasion to ...ehm... grant us access.
ADVICE TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING VOLUNTEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME
If you love this sport, it won't even feel like work.
CLOSING QUOTES FROM DAVE
"The best route marker is one that's a borderline tripping hazard" - A forerunner's proverb
"That's not a flag reflector, those are eyes!" - A forerunner's encounter with a Tahr
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