Thank your volunteers!

I volunteered at a sprint this weekend. (Last year I volunteered and raced this one.)

I was not so much dissappointed by the lack of thank you's on the course (only by those I knew) but more by the rudeness of the athletes at packet pickup.  I was working with a non-triathlete and was embarrassed by the reactions we were getting from some of the athletes when we asked them for ID and their USAT card.  Seriously, I don't know that I've done many races (tri or run) that don't ask for ID and all USAT sanctioned races ask to see the USAT card and yet we were getting some pretty rude reactions.

We were also getting some pretty rude comments if we'd run out of the size shirt they wanted.  Yes, I'm sure they don't all have a gazillion race shirts already. 

One lady, who was NOT standing in the organized line snapped "Am I invisible?!" when we didn't assist her. Quite frankly we were quite busy and I didn't see her because she was not where the line was. 

Seriously, I thought we all do this for fun?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

Weird. I've always witnessed pretty gracious athletes.

One thing though, when I volunteer I definitely don't expect thanks while on course. I know as an athlete, competing, it's not on my priority list during the event. Afterward, however, I personally do make an effort.

Salty I've always thought of triathletes as a friendly bunch, that is why I was so surprised, and embarrassed by their reactions.

I had a chance to hear some comments from a guy who does all of the ground work for a major timing company here.  In fact, he's the guy sitting at the console during events.  His words were that triathletes were the biggest d-bags of any participants in any event.  He went on to say they were "self-entitled, self-important, and thought they were some kind of special." He said they were rude, degrading, and not worth the trouble.  He also said that it certainly didn't apply to everyone doing triathlon, but that he felt like it was a majority and would be fine, personally, to never have to deal with them.  We don't do many local races anymore so I found his comments interesting and certainly in line with the 2nd commentor on this threads experience.

I actually see the reverse at a lot of races, at least on the course.  People saying thank you and such.  Packet pick up I've never noticed much but it could go on for all I know.  With regards to timing I can see it and have seen it.  Not excusing it but I think part of it comes from when results aren't being posted until the end.  This seems to have become more of an issue with some races now pretty much having instant results on tablets or screens.  Then some smaller races which post a print out.  Ironically until reading your post LB always thought it was the reverse.  The timing guys were the jerk offs.   I've asked twice in 7 years if I could find out my results since I needed to get going.  Pretty politely I will also add.  Both times I was snapped at and walked away thinking clowns.  Now I have a little more insight.

I don't really have any idea and was kind of surprised too.( maybe everyone is just pissed off that their Sunday is taken up either racing or working - LMAO )  I just thought It was interesting that I had just heard that comment last week and then I saw the post here about it. 

If you were volunteering, would you expect thank-yous from all participants during the race? 

I try to thank volunteers, but there is no way I thank everyone I pass (I can barely utter recognizable words when I'm running).  I have volunteered in several different capacities and never expect to hear thank you. 

That's awful. I think those select athletes should be reminded that volunteers are volunteering their time and energy for the benefit of the athletes. Like others have said, I also don't expect a thank you when I volunteer because I know what it feels like to be out of breath as an athlete, but I'd never be rude to a volunteer. I did however have a volunteer yell at me rather rudely once about not going back into transition after I'd already left, and I could have snapped back at her but whatever. Life's too short, and I understand how hectic the logistics can get so they're under a lot of stress. Like rrrunner said, it's supposed to be FUN!

Keep in mind that the major timing company guy is not volunteering and is viewing the participants from a different perspective.  He has to deal with people whose time didn't start or didn't stop, people who swear by their Garmin watch that the time was incorrect, people who lost their timing chips and are miffed that they have to pay for a replacement, etc.

I will join those saying that my experience is exactly opposite of the negative experiences discussed in the first couple of posts in this thread. I have been involved in triathlon for about 10 years-- both as a participant and a volunteer. I have never had a bad experience with another athlete, everyone has been either positive or just doing their own thing and focusing on their race. 

While volunteering, I've been thanked A LOT. My favorite story was from IMCDA this year. On race day a friend and I were walking around after our shifts, during the race, and the wife of one of the athletes out on the course approached us (in our volunteer gear) and thanked us for volunteering and we chatted a while about her hubby. It was pretty cool.

I try and say thank you to as many people as possible and even when I'm feeling really unpleasant I can still manage eye contact and a crooked smile.  It's not an entirely selfless act either - you tend to get a smile or a word of encouragement back and that can be just the boost you need sometimes.

We all know that some people doing the organised and supported training sessions that most triathlons are think they're some sort of of uber athlete and it attracts type a d-bags so I'm not surprised to read this unfortunately.  It makes it even more important that the rest of us try and make up for it.

I volunteer when I'm injured and rehabbing as it helps keep me connected to the sport and rehabbing - I don't really care if I don't get thanked, especially if I'm near the end of the race where people are hurting but there are probably lots of volunteers who aren't athletes and don't really understand what you're going through so perhaps some race directors could mention that to them too.  It all goes both way, as most things in life.

I've been thinking about this thread.

TJ had mentioned something about the fact we do this for fun. Well, for me, sort of. I train for a lot of reasons and fun is part of it! But when I race, it's for competition. Not that I don't enjoy elements of racing but the intent is to go all out for the specific distance. 

I thank volunteers pre and post race as I interact with them and I would certainly do my best to not be rude to them when I am racing but it is unlikely I am going to thank a volunteer during a really hard race. I'm trying to imagine thanking say, the lap counter, in a 10K track race every time I go by. Or every single volunteer that hands me water or food during a marathon. If you miss thanking one, they might be the one complaining that people didn't thank them. 

I appreciate and respect that people take time out of their day. Absolutely. And having volunteered many times, I know what it means to be there. I haven't quite figured out what the general consensus is in the thread for reasonable behavior from athletes. But I would hope that when you volunteer, you understand that many of the people are out there trying to perform their very best and to give them at least a little slack. And even better yet, I bet the very best thing you could do would be to volunteer at an event or two yourself.

Of course no one ever deserves to be insulted or for someone to be downright rude and I am definitely not supporting that.

What!!? Jeepers, I've never been in a fight before, but that would have tempted me. How was that guy even allowed to race after doing that.

Oh man......at the great risk of sounding like some internet tough guy, I would have lost my mind.  I have references.