How to Volunteer with Achilles
Whether it be a new PR, a marathon or a weekly one mile walk or roll in the park, Achilles relies on dedicated volunteers to ensure our athletes with disabilities feel supported and welcomed.
To become an official Achilles volunteer guide or support runner you must set up a free account via Rosterfy, our community management tool to complete an application. Volunteers based in the U.S. will then be asked to complete a background check via our partner Sterling Volunteers. Covering the $15 cost is optional. Completing the background check ensures the safety of our athletes with disabilities.
Once reviewed and completed, you will receive an email confirmation, a guide training video and access to a dashboard to register for future workouts available in your city. If you do not see a chapter listed near you please select, “No Chapter Near Me (but in the US).” If you are interested in participating in a major race, a member of our team will reach out with a guide interest form (must have a Rosterfy account to view) to determine if there are opportunities.
Please note, the best way to become a guide is to meet athletes at our weekly workouts. Guides are paired up by Achilles athlete preference, pace and need. An Achilles chapter lead will reach out when there is an opportunity to guide an Achilles athlete.
*For volunteers outside of the U.S., a chapter leader will follow up with you with workout opportunities in your region. The sign up form is only currently available in English. However, if using the Google Chrome internet browser, you may have the ability to click Translate in the top right of the web address bar. For assistance completing the form or questions, please email rosterfy@achillesinternational.org and a member of our team will reach out. Already a member? Login here.
What Achilles Volunteers Do
Help adults and children with disabilities complete a run, walk or ride safely in a fun, supportive environment.
Participate in weekly workouts.
Provide motivation and guidance.
Learn about adaptive equipment and assist with logistics.
Yell “Go Achilles!” to give our community in neon yellow a boost on race courses.
Why Volunteer with Achilles
Volunteers work alongside Achilles' athletes and support them while they accomplish their fitness goals. While their general responsibility is to accompany runners with disabilities during the course of a workout or race, on any given day an Achilles volunteer will function as a member’s guide and motivator. Ask any Achilles volunteer why they do it, and you’ll hear the same answer: they get back as much as they give, and more.
"Walking as a volunteer with Achilles makes you a better person. The first time I walked with an athlete who is blind, she was able to tell me about the areas we were walking by. The birds and the open fields. I had the vision but missed what she heard. I have learned to take better notice of the beauty in everyday life. We learn that you can accomplish whatever you want." — Achilles Volunteer