Volunteering:
Pre-race and post-race volunteer work is a great way to prepare for the race. We are deeply indebted for all the volunteers that have made this event possible. We would love to have your help. Contact Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers trailhead@vmbah.org or Matanuska Green Belt Trails http://www.matanuska-greenbelt.org/ for information.
Why and How to Help with Volunteering: We Need Your Help!
We are in need of many volunteers to help this race run smoothly and safely. Preparing the trails, setting up the course, repairing the course, monitoring the transition area, giving water, encouragement and directions to athletes are just some of the jobs that volunteers will fill. Contact joe@smartenergyalaska.com If you have special training such as medical or communications, please let us know so that we can use your skills most efficiently.
We can use a few volunteer for the Bib Pick ups. To help with bib pickup contact Cathy at Active Soles at 746-0600, the time and date of pick up is being determined.
The Anchorage bib pick up will be announced at a later date.
We are in need of volunteers for set up the night before the race. We are meeting at Matanuska Lake at 6:30 pm to start this. (much, but not all of the course will be set up the night before.) There will be some volunteers that will be spending the night at the camp ground. There are facilities adjacent to the state park that also have accommodations. Fox Run Lodging- right next to Matanuska Lake has services that can meet what ever level of comfort that you wish. – Fox Run Lodge- Contact Desiree Olson for accommodation options should you want to explore these options of spending the night at 745-6120.
Saturday morning, we will continue with the set up starting at 6:00am. We have need of having volunteers help with – Parking, Security at the exchange zone, directing participants, “sweeping the course” at the end, and clean up, and trail repair should this be necessary, plus much more. We welcome your help. Please bring clothing appropriate for variety of weather possibilities that is to say– Bring rain gear just in case.
Why should I consider volunteering?
Volunteering for a triathlon is fun and inspiring. It’s a great way to learn how to complete a race and how to improve your time… or realize your spouse is not the only crazy person.
You might learn exciting things such as:
• What happens when people swim without a black line on the bottom of the lake
• Why swim “sighting” practice BEFORE the race is so important
• How to avoid getting kicked in the face during the swim
• Why not to wear white when doing events that get you wet
• How bikers keep going with mud all over their sunglasses
• How funny racers look running after biking about 12.5 miles
• Transition tricks to drop minutes off your time
• Why you practice taking off your bike helmet before you start the run
• How to pee during a race
• How to yell “great job” or “you’re looking strong” without letting them know you are lying through your teeth.
• See someone puking at the finish line
These are just a few of the many things you can witness or learn as a volunteer.
What type of duties do volunteers perform?
• Check people in race morning
• Help set up race area night before and morning of
• Make sure snacks are ready for racers as they finish
• Tell disorientated races where to go 3 times in a row until they seem to have a little understanding what you are talking about
• Hand out finisher T-shirts
• Give yourself as a living sacrifice in front of fast moving vehicles so no racers get run over
• Direct traffic and parking before the race
• Explain over and over and over and over where the transition exit and entrance are located
• Yell “Don’t forget your helmet”, “Don’t get on the bike until you cross this line” and “Dismount your bike.” Until you are blue in the face. Caution: you might re-live this in your dreams for days after the race.
• Cheer people on
• Clean up the area afterwards
In other words, we have a place for you no matter what your skill or lack thereof.
