General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Volunteering at an Ironman... Rss Feed  
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2006-01-25 3:41 PM

Veteran
158
1002525
Grapevine, Texas
Subject: Volunteering at an Ironman...
I'm thinking of volunteering at an ironman distance race sometime. Possibly this year at either IMCda or IMFL. Florida is the more likely possibility, and cause I think I'd like to do IMFL sometime. Next year (2007) is really, really early for me to be thinking of doing an IM, but we're also thinking of having kids and starting to try for a baby at the end of 2007 (we just got married in September and I'm 31, about to be 32 and he's 34 about to be 35, both of us in March), so that really puts an IM out of the picture for a while if I wait past 2007. I haven't done any half distances yet though either and I may just want to go with my plans of doing some oly's this year, a half or 2 next year with a marathon and see if maybe we can push baby trying until after IM in 2008. Anyhoo... I'd still like to volunteer at an IM and think that would be a way cool way to experience the event without actually doing it. There's quite a few options of things to choose to volunteer and I have no idea what to do. Body marking would be kinda cool... I dunno... I've never been to an IM before, nor volunteered at a race so I don't know what to pick. I'm not really all that picky anyway, I'd just want to go for the experience. And, who knows... I could get suckered in to signing up for the next year....

Options for volunteering are:
Aid Station
Athlete Village
Bike Check In (on Friday... probably not an option as I wouldn't arrive until Friday)
Bike Lot
Bodymarking
Catering/Banquets
Clean Up
Communications
Divers - not diver certified, yet
Draft Marshall
Emergency Rescue - not qualified (not an EMT)
Finish Line - what fun!!!!
Food Tent
Gear Bags
Ham Radio Operators
Ironmates - what's this?
Kayaks
Massage
Media
Medical
Men/Women Tent
Motorcycle
Parade
Peelers
Security
Timing
Traffic
Transition
Volunteer Tent



2006-01-25 3:47 PM
in reply to: #331806

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Pro
3906
20001000500100100100100
St Charles, IL
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
I've volunteered at Run aid stations at IMWI twice, and did Bike transition at IMHI this year.

Both were great experiences, though I have to say that the bike transition had a little more "cool" factor as you get to be inside the transition area during the race, where otherwise no-one else besides the participants are allowed.

No matter what you end up doing, it should be a great experience.  Be careful though, you'll get sucked into doing an IM yourself. 

-Chris
2006-01-25 3:50 PM
in reply to: #331806

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
I'd pick the women's tent. Oh wait.

Do they have the wet suit stripper-off-ers....that always looks like a cool job.

2006-01-25 3:54 PM
in reply to: #331812

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Elite
3235
2000100010010025
San Diego
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...

Go to CDA!

If I had to choose I would pick peeler or sun tan lotion person (womens transition area)

Seriously, I would pick Finish line. There are so many emotions happening all in one place plus that whole area is just buzzing with excitement.

2006-01-25 3:54 PM
in reply to: #331814

Veteran
158
1002525
Grapevine, Texas
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
Yeah, I think they call it "peelers". Sure would be funny if they called it strippers... oh wait, not that kind of strippers. lol...
2006-01-25 3:55 PM
in reply to: #331818

Veteran
158
1002525
Grapevine, Texas
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
Yeah, now I'm thinking CdA. Two reasons, I know quite a few people doing it, even my coach is racing. Finish line would be way cool...

Are you doing CdA?


2006-01-25 3:58 PM
in reply to: #331806

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
Peelers makes more sense, although if they used Stripper they'd get more volunteers.lol.
2006-01-25 4:03 PM
in reply to: #331806

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Elite
3088
20001000252525
Austin, TX
Gold member
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
My parents volunteered at IMLP last year as catchers at the finish. They said it was fantastic. They'll be there again this year when the other BTers and I cross the line.
2006-01-25 4:14 PM
in reply to: #331806

Master
1534
100050025
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...

I'm also volunteering at a race, but this year...and not an Ironman

But it does give me enough volunteer hours to graduate .

2006-01-25 4:36 PM
in reply to: #331806

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Expert
1207
1000100100
Liberty Lake, WA
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
Go to CDA, it's a great place for a IM race.  If I were to pick a spot to volunteer I would go with wetsuit peeler, finish line, or body marking (In that order). 
2006-01-25 5:21 PM
in reply to: #331814

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Master
2060
20002525
Northern California
Subject: RE: Volunteering at an Ironman...
running2far - 2006-01-25 1:50 PM

I'd pick the women's tent. Oh wait.

Do they have the wet suit stripper-off-ers....that always looks like a cool job.



Sun tan lotion um applier-guy? That would be me.


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