Thinking of Volunteering for a Race

[deidre]

I would like volunteer at one of the local races (running events). I have only run a few races (4 10Ks over the last couple of years). I am usually so happy to hear the encouraging words from the volunteers as I am SLOOOOOWLY making my way towards the finish line. I really appreciate everything they do for the participants.

My first thought was the hydration station; however, that seems like such a critical thing and I don't want to be the one to mess it up for someone trying to set a PR or something.

That being said, I have a question - have any of you volunteered before? What would you suggest for a newbie volunteer?

[Possegal]

yep, i've done this more than a few times. i think you are right, those of us who have done these sorts of races appreciate how much the cheering can help you. case in point, after my sister and i finished the grueling 40 mile livestrong ride (grueling for us anyway), a few weeks later our niece was running in the philly distance run and we were there to cheer her on and we stayed and cheered on darn near everyone that finished. we were planted, on our bikes of course, at mile 12 and cheering everyone with the - one more mile to go, piece of cake, all down hill from here - comments. some guy coaching a team in training group came up to us and thanked us. we both said, we know how it feels. we both also, more than a few lbs ago, ran a lot of 10Ks.


anywho - if a race is run properly (which lately i have to wonder about some), there should be plenty of folks there to man a water station that your ability to mess up anyone's time is negligible. you just stand there and hold out a cup of water along with a slew of other people and the runners just run by and grab until they get one. some of the more serious runners will run by the station anyway and have water of their own, if they are really worried about their times.

then in addition to the water, you cheer and yell for everyone. i really enjoy volunteering at them (plus i usually got really nice tshirts too!).

go for it, you won't do any damage and as someone that has run them before, you'll do a lot of good for the folks running, especially the ones struggling who need the cheering on.

[wannaduacentury]

I've been the water girl at local tri races. It's not hard, just keep them full and ready. I usually balance the cup on the tips of my fingers and they can grab it better that way w/less spillage. I do it every yr, lots of fun although I'm not a tri girl, I like to watch. Jenn

[deidre]

Thanks for all of your responses. I'll update you when I select a race and let me know how everything goes.

As I went back to read my post and the responses, I was a bit embarrassed because it's just water, right? I should be able to do that. However, I have seen, heard and even read (on other not-so-nice forums) how some runners get very upset because the water wasn't help in the right way for them. They were really upset because they had to stop and walk through the station or something of that sort.

If I happen to meet any of those people while I am volunteering, I'll do my best not to let it get me down.

Thanks once again.

[Tri Girl]

Whenever I'm not racing, I'm volunteering. I'm usually the head of the "Transition Mafioso" (the mean gang that monitors the transition area) at the tris or dus, but I've been the water girl many times. You can't mess it up. Just have it out and they'll take it. If they lose 10 seconds on the day because they had to walk for a millisecond, then too bad. You're out there helping them stay hydrated and safe so they can just deal.
I love to volunteer and always get many thanks from the athletes when I do it. In return, I always thank every volunteer and police officer when I race. It takes so much to put on an event, as having run a couple- I know how hard it is to find volunteers. Do it- you'll have so much fun!!!!

[Running Mommy]

I was a voly for years at the vineman triathlon events.

The key to running a successful aid statiion is to make sure you have plenty of fluids ready and in the cups for when the mass of runners come through. Ususally there is a median time that most people will run the distance in. You want to be prepared.
At some races the water/gatorade is in a big tub and you dip the cups in it and then set it on a table. Or you set up all the empty cups on the table and use a jug or pitcher to do a mass pour into the cups.
If there is ice in the water/gatorade make sure that it doesn't end up in the cups. Nothing like grabbing a cup of gatorade and going to down it only to choke on a chunk of ice.
When handing out fluids announce to the approaching runner what you have in your hand. Have your arm outstretched and be ready to run backwards a few steps as they grab the cup. This helps insure a smooth handoff.
Also hold the cup from the bottom so they can grab the middle of it.

As for people yelling at the volys. It happens. But then there are jerks everywhere these days. You will get many more "thank you for being here " than you will "there is ICE in this CUP!!! ".

Personally I think all of us who race should do our voly time. It's called giving back to the sport. It's a good thing.

Have fun!

[Pedal Wench]

Come to Atlanta and join my bike crew for the ING Marathon! On our bikes, we provide escort for the wheelchair athletes, during the marathon and some of the training runs.

[Grog]

I encourage you to volunteer for races. I make it a point to volunteer at least once a year, as I benefit from volunteers' work at the other events I enter.

I'm a natural-born marshall, specialized in keeping cars away from the runners (or cyclists) and course security generally, but that's not given to everyone. I would not recommend it if you're even just a bit sheepish (I've had to be polite but very firm with more than one displeased driver over the course of my marshalling "career").

One fool-proof area is chip removal and many other post-race positions (food, space blankets, stuff like that). You can't really go wrong!

But you should be great at the water stations, too. Just remember that it's useless to completely fill the cups. Halfway is just fine.

Enjoy! and thank you for your time.

[deidre]

Come to Atlanta and join my bike crew for the ING Marathon! On our bikes, we provide escort for the wheelchair athletes, during the marathon and some of the training runs.

I live in the Atlanta metro area and the ING marathon was one that I considered (which prompted me to post this thread).

I'll definitely keep that one in mind and let you know.

[wannaduacentury]

I live in the Atlanta metro area and the ING marathon was one that I considered (which prompted me to post this thread).

I'll definitely keep that one in mind and let you know.

For PW and Diedre- What is ING marathon? This sounds interesting I'm an hour from you. Jenn

[Pedal Wench]

For PW and Diedre- What is ING marathon? This sounds interesting I'm an hour from you. Jenn

The ING Marathon is in March -- March 30th, to be exact: http://www.inggeorgiamarathon.com/site3.aspx

Hopefully, I'll have enough volunteers to give each wheelchair athlete one escort. You ride just ahead of each athlete, pointing out obstacles, showing the way, and most importantly, watching for traffic. The wheelchair race starts a few minutes before the running marathon, so the coarse might not be closed to traffic. Last year, a few intersections were tricky, and I had to stop some cars that were coming out of parking lots. For the training runs, we're just out there in the traffic, so we're just providing visibility and morale support to those athletes, protecting them from cars, since they're much lower to the ground.

For the training runs, all levels of cyclists are encouraged to volunteer. For the actual marathon, you need to be able to ride 13-14 mph, as they can move pretty quickly uphill, and we hit 27mph on some of the downhills last year.

Edit: After reading your initial post, Diedre, another thing I did was as I was riding a bit ahead of my athlete (who won the women's race!!!!) I would yell to the gathering crowd, "Wheelchair racers coming through, let's make some NOISE!!!!" to make sure the crowds were cheering for her. These folks get spread out, so I wanted to make sure folks knew we were coming through.

[tygab]

yep, I try to volunteer for events also. Since I participate in events/races, I know what it means to racers to have the volunteers there doing everything from routing us at corners and course marshaling, to making sure we have food and drink. If it's not your race day, why not try and make someone else's a little better? The positive impact you can have is worth it. And you usually get a race t-shirt too.

[mcoleman]

There can be other unexpected benefits, also. DH just did the Florida Ironman and I volunteered in the women's change tent. The night before the race, they announced that they would have a special line for volunteers at the sign ups for next year. All you had to do was wear your t-shirt. The regular line was huge and I believe it sold out in 7 minutes on line. I have no interest in the Ironman distance, but I thought that was a pretty cool idea. The folks at IM are trying a few things differently this year with sign ups. It will be interesting to see what changes they make permanent.
BTW-I loved working in the change tent. I have done other jobs at races, but that was my fave!

[wemoon]

Last year was my first season of events and was just trying to muddle through getting trained, registered, and to the events so I didn't volunteer at all. This next season though, I would like to volunteer. I agree with Running Mommy about how those who participate in events should give back and volunteer.