Maybe it's not obvious, but as of 2011 there now literally only a handful of people left in the club who can perform these roles and we really need help! Would you consider training to become a timekeeper, track/field judge, or other club official? You don't need any specialist knowledge, just an interest in running or athletics and a desire to help your club and fellow members. The club pays for the training courses (which are generally just a few hours long on a Saturday or Sunday) and then you learn the rest 'on the job'.

These are the roles for which training is available to become a qualified official:

Timekeeper: equally applicable for road or track racing, these are the people with the stopwatches who time the race. We need lots.

Track judge: generally thought of as a track official, some of the knowledge is also applicable in road races. These are the people who record finishing positions. We need lots.

Field judge: these are the people who look after the jumping and throwing events in T&F meetings. Even if you've never been to a track meeting, you might be surprised how much fun it can be helping at these events, as one or two Serpies discovered this year. We need lots.

Marksman: these people make sure competitors are in the right place for the start on track races. Usually combined with starter. We need at least two or three.

Starter: equally applicable for road or track racing, these are the people with the guns who start races! Usually combined with marksman. We need at least two or three.

Road/endurance: road racing officials who know about risk assessments, traffic management and the other challenges of putting on road races. We need lots.

If you'd like to know more and perhaps learn a new skill and help your club, please get in touch with Jennifer Bradley at officials.coordinator@serpentine.org.uk to arrange a suitable course booking in the coming months.