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shelee
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Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 2409
Location: IN
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 Posted: 06/25/04 - 13:48 Post subject: Volunteering at races?
I did this last night and I was almost more tired working at the registration booth and filling and handing out ribbons than running in a race. I really enjoyed meeting all types of runners from 5 to 66 years old! At the same time, I was kind of put off by the parents. Many of the parents were really nasty and so demanding as their poor kids just looked at me embarrassed...as the parent (more than just one, sadly) would say I think he did better than this....are you sure? How do I know you didn't record this wrong? Or, how many heats are you planning on running? We're expected to wait how long? I'm like, ah, there's a lot of people signed up for this event...next. The track series emphasizes fun....it's a way to test yourself and maybe get in some events you've never ran. There are some super fast people out there. Incredible.
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 06/25/04 - 20:32 Post subject:
good for you shelee  but Boo for the parents  who, once again, are the fun wreckers.
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GaRebelRunner
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
Posts: 1097
Location: Tucker, GA
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 17:30 Post subject:
I volunteer for 2 or 3 races each year, including the Peachtree Road Race and most of it is very enjoyable, although they will wear you out. Runners have no idea what goes on behind the scenes even in a small event. Water tables get placed in the wrong place, or a larger field shows up than expected or the local cops make a course change at the last minute. And yet everything goes smoothly as far as the participants are concerned. We volunteers do an excellent job. 
I usually work the packet pickup at the Atlanta Marathon each year and I'm always so glad when those doors finally close. You answer lots of questions from race related to which restaurant would I recommend. But I really do enjoy working the packet pickup. I'll do it again this year.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 06/26/04 - 20:12 Post subject:
Never volunteered at a race, but I always appreciated the efforts of the volunteers.
Any time I raced I tried to thank the volunteers, especially those at the water stops.
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Sc00t
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Joined: 16 May 2004
Posts: 26
Location: Wigan, near Manchester, England
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Posted: 06/27/04 - 14:21 Post subject:
I'd rather swim in a tank of sharks than be a volunteer, why? Parents are scarier than sharks, that's why 
Good on you for volunteering, it's tough work but appreciated by most people.
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mickeyvw98
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Joined: 03 Jun 2004
Posts: 2010
Location: Upstate NY
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Posted: 06/28/04 - 09:46 Post subject:
It's wonderful that you volunteered to help out!!! Sorry about the parents though...  We had a few around here that got into fights over their kids hockey games!!!  I felt bad for the kids, they were so embarrassed. 
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shelee
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Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 2409
Location: IN
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Posted: 06/29/04 - 07:13 Post subject:
| GaRebelRunner wrote: | I volunteer for 2 or 3 races each year, including the Peachtree Road Race and most of it is very enjoyable, although they will wear you out. Runners have no idea what goes on behind the scenes even in a small event. Water tables get placed in the wrong place, or a larger field shows up than expected or the local cops make a course change at the last minute. And yet everything goes smoothly as far as the participants are concerned. We volunteers do an excellent <A TITLE="Click for more information about job" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: medium solid green;" HREF="http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977|1||||job|AA1VDw">job</A>.
I usually work the packet pickup at the Atlanta Marathon each year and I'm always so glad when those doors finally close. You answer lots of questions from race related to which restaurant would I recommend. But I really do enjoy working the packet pickup. I'll do it again this year. |
Volunteering the Atlanta Marathon would be hectic but fun. I'll be volunteering at the WI Ironman. Such a fantastic race. Hmmm, there's help at registration...water stations....sun tan lotion station 
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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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Posted: 06/29/04 - 11:56 Post subject:
| shelee wrote: | | Volunteering the Atlanta Marathon would be hectic but fun. I'll be volunteering at the WI Ironman. Such a fantastic race. Hmmm, there's help at registration...water stations....sun tan lotion station |
Water stations at big races are a trip. Doing one at Chicago last year, I learned a lesson - wear a (fashionable!) swimsuit as you're going to be drenched by the end. But it's still a blast.
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