What is the best volunteer position at Ironman?

Missionary.

Bike Catcher can be fun but tiring. 

I've been told that 'Sun Block Applicator' if you position yourself at the exit to your preferred change tent. 

At Wisconsin (and I would assume all IM events), it makes no difference what your volunteer job was.  The next morning there's two lines for onsite registration.  If you have a volunteer bracelet on, you get in the line that goes first.  As soon as that line is done, the other line starts.

I've done sunscreen at T2.  It was fun seeing how differently people react to heading out for a marathon.  Some were ecstatic to finally be running, while others clearly were dreading a long night.  Wetsuit stripper and finish line catcher seem to be the most popular spots and fill up as soon as volunteer registration opens up.

I haven't volunteered but I have raced an IM.  If I were to volunteer, here are my thoughts:

1) Body Marking.  I love the energy pre-race and all of the hope and potential that is in the air.  I was marked up by a friend, and I fully believe she gave me some good mojo for the day.

2) Wetsuit stripping and sunscreen just seem fun

3) Change tent.  Now I know... how fun would it be to spend your day in a dark tent with a bunch of sweaty naked people.  HOWEVER.  I had a friend who volunteered in the change tent, and as a racer, I cannot emphasize enough how AWESOME it was to have a friendly face help me.  Definitely a huge mood boost.

4) finish line catcher (just plain fun).

I was a finish line catcher last year at IMCDA, and am doing it again this year.  The atmosphere at the finish is incredible, it was a great job.

Pretty inspiring to watch everyone come down that last couple hundred yards and hit the finish.  You witness the whole range of emotions and physical conditions as people come across that line.

STRIPPER

Helping athletes out of wetsuits seems pretty cool

I've heard security in a morning shift.

Which makes sense, because you get to wear the security shirt all day after your shift and poke around everywhere.

Metcalf, I volunteered at IMFL last year and will be racing this year.  First, you will love volunteering.  I did body marking last year and some of my training partners also did T1 bags as well. We had to be there early on race morning but we were done in time to see the start of the race.  No matter what you do, enjoy the experience, and thanks for volunteering. 

Also, we got to the sign up the morning after the race ( 8 am)and the line was already pretty long but it moved semi quick. 

x whatever on bodymarking. Super energy and excitement leading up to race start. You get to briefly meet and chat with a whole bunch of ahthletes. As an added bonus, you get the "Transition" t-shirt that gives you free access to the transition area. I had a couple of friends doing the race, so it was cool getting to see and encourage them in transition.

I have a friend that's done kayak support and that sounded super cool, but you gotta have the boat or have access to a loaner.

Phillip, I volunteered 6-9 finish line last year.  I'm volunteering for 6-9 finish line catcher this year so I can race in 2013.  Very inspiring to see the finishers.  Tons of emotions.

Not true about the 4 hour shift in order to race at IMFL.  I know two guys that are racing this year and they had a 3 hour shift.

There is a group from Montgomery MultiSport & Team MMS going this year to volunteer and support our fellow members.  Then we throw down the $$$$ for 2013!

I've done T2 change tent twice. It's an amazing place to observe and learn for your own journey. You also get to motivate, inspire, cry, comfort, high-five, hug, and cheer - all away from most of the crazy crowds. Transition is a special place for me

Being able to work the finish line is incredible. It infects you with enthusiasm and reverence for the event. When you touch the people who have just crossed the line some of what they are experiencing rubs off on you- and it is intoxicating.

In a small way it is like finishing Ironman a thousand times in a day. It's moving. The people you are in contact with have just acheived a goal they have struggled for over a period of months or even years- and you are there for that moment.

It's like pinning wings on a new paratrooper, handing someone a diploma or giving a new officer their first salute. It's a significant moment in someone's life- and you're there. If Ironman charged $500 to volunteer at the finish it would be worth the price.

Some of us will be dropping $625 the day after we volunteer! Cheerfully, no less.

Oy Vey.  You had to give them the idea.