Mar 23, 2007 Doug Kurtis Column: Volunteers By Doug Kurtis :: Views- 216
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Volunteers are the backbone of any race. Without volunteers it’s impossible to stage an event. Local running clubs are often sought after to handle key positions but their well is only so deep. Runners and the local charities that races support need to return the favor. So what positions can they fill?

Course marshalling: May be the least complicated job and there are never enough marshals. It can be a lonely but it’s more fun if done in pairs. I suggest volunteers bring a friend. At small races with just neighborhood traffic, marshals may be instructed to stop traffic. Major intersections should be handled only by police officers. In general, a marshal’s sole responsibility should be to direct runners not traffic. Race officials should provide some way of indentifying the course volunteers. A race T shirt is helpful. Bright colored vests improve the ability to be seen. Most runners have a reflective vest and should plan to bring them to the race.

Fluid station attendants: This is a perfect place for high school teams and charitable groups because it can be done as a group and promotes camaraderie. Tables should be set up so that they don’t interfere with the flow of runners. As the race grows larger, tables should be placed on both sides street and staggered so that there is no jam up in the middle. Stacking the cups in layers on top of each other is important because cups can’t be filled quick enough to keep up with the middle of the pack. Thin plastic sheets work best as cardboard can get soggy.

If an energy drink is also served at the fluid station, races need to provide an instruction sheet for mixing, distributing. Place banners on the tables to identify the drink they serve.

Finish chute assignments: More and more races are going to the electronic chip to score races. This requires volunteers to remove the chips from runner’s shoes. Small buckets, step stools and chairs should be provided by the race to make this job easier. Some runners tie the chip to their shoe laces but the plastic zip ties in the chip envelope make removal easier and save time in the chute.

Major events, especially marathons, distribute medals as runners walk through the finish chutes. This is what I call the glory job. Volunteers get to share in the emotional moment a runner experiences when they have just completed a major accomplishment. Volunteers can do this for three of four hours. When runners come in long after that, the assignment should designed with a break or directors will find their help wandering off.

Registration: Can often be the bottle neck that causes races to start late. Runners don’t give themselves enough time to pick up their number, chip and T shirt. The more volunteers that are used to facilitate this process the shorter the lines and the quicker the trip to the porta-potties.

Races should have a volunteer check-in so that directors know that they have arrived and if there are strategic holes that need to be filled at the last minute.
Volunteering should be fun. If done with grace and a smile the feelings are usually returned. Most runners are thankful that you are there to help.

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