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Behind the Race, Part IV: Volunteers: Needed and Greatly Appreciated
By Brenda Barrera
September/October 2011
vol·un·teer/ˌvälənˈti(ə)r
A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.
It’s a sure bet that there would not be many road races, triathlons, or walking events if it were not for the hard work and dedication of countless volunteers. It’s true, ask any race director.
Volunteer positions are varied and range from traffic and spectator control to water stations, medical services, course entertainment, race packet pickup, and finish area activities like chip removal. There is something for everyone. An innovative change is the emergence of online modules that provide volunteer descriptions and allow people to sign up online for the positions they want and even preferred time slots. A good example is the volunteer page for the Army Ten-Miler (www.armytenmiler.com/Volunteer).
Volunteers are a key component to the success and safety of an event. If you are sitting out a race, why not pay it forward and see what it looks like from another angle? Or, if you are attending an event in support of a loved one or friend, joining a volunteer crew will give you an active role and allow you to share the experience. The rewards will be surprising.
Below are profiles of few outstanding mid-Atlantic race volunteers. If you want to honor a volunteer, tell us about him or her on the Washington Running Report Facebook page---your favorite volunteer might get a shout out in a future issue.
Race Volunteer Profiles
Mary Jane Davis – Capital Running Company
Volunteer Responsibilities: T-shirt distribution at packet pickup.
Mary Jane Davis is a frequent race volunteer whose face should be familiar to those who race in the area. She is often found behind the t-shirt table at Capital Running Company packet pickups, races, and other events. Mary Jane has been volunteering at races for about 25 years (longer than we have owned the company!). She volunteers for about 20 events per year and also runs in several races each year, including the Komen Global Race for the Cure 5K and the Race for Hope 5K. She loves sports, especially DC United, the Mystics, Wizards, and Capitals, and likes being around people. She worked for DC United for about three years, handing out programs to the spectators.
Mary Jane works for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an information clerk, making photocopies for meetings, testimony, and hearings on Capitol Hill, and lives in Falls Church, VA. Mary Jane is a dedicated, loyal volunteer who freely contributes her time to events. She says that volunteering “makes my day feel good.”
All races run on “volunteer power” and without Mary Jane and others like her, races just would not happen.---Kathy Freedman, WRR Publisher and co-owner of Capital Running Company.
Phil Davis - Army Ten-Miler
Volunteer responsibilities: Team Captain of start and finish line volunteers. {check on title]
Many races like the Army Ten-Miler rely on local running clubs and training groups to volunteer in various capacities. Phil Davis serves as the lead contact for the Potomac Runners. Davis is the voice in the crowd who can rally the members when needed.
Since 2004 the Potomac Runners have been a vital part of the Army Ten-Miler, filling duties such as runner information/direction. Given the race has 20,000 plus runners, many may not be familiar with the Pentagon reservation or where race services like gear check, water, and portable restrooms are located. Davis provides each of the club volunteers with an information package so they can better direct the participants. We can count on him to ensure that each member is well informed. Not only is Davis a leader, in that he understands the task, he can also make tough decisions and deploy volunteers where they can be most effective.
Once the race begins, the volunteers change gears and converge to the finishing line as monitors. The key aspect of being a finish line volunteer is to direct the runners to keep moving while keeping a watchful eye for any potential medical emergency.
Davis and the club members make a difference in the success of the event. Supporting the Army Ten-Miler is a running club affair. ---George Banker, Operations Manager, Army Ten-Miler (check if this is correct title).
George Tarrico – Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile
Volunteer responsibilities: race committee and staging area logistics
This year marks the fourth year that George Tarrico will be actively volunteering for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile race. A longtime member of the Montgomery County Road Runners Club (MCRRC), he does not recall the specifics of his first volunteer gig, but is pretty certain it involved, “standing on a street corner and waving a flag to direct runners.” At age 75 and retired, Tarrico is part of a well-oiled crew that puts on the second largest U.S. 10 mile race.
So, what exactly is staging area logistics? Tarrico deals with vendors and all of the “things” that occupy space at a finish line area like tables, tents, porta-johns, sound systems, and even the all-important matting. When an event takes place on Washington Monument Grounds that involves heavy trucks, rows of fencing and people trampling about, the land needs to be protected. And, you want to ensure permits for future use.
“Without matting we won’t get permission to use this,” says Tarrico, who described it is heavy plastic matting about 4 inches thick that comes in at a cost near $50,000 (not sure if I should put that amount; OK with me, Brenda. I don’t think Phil would object).
Race day logistical operations swing into action about six months prior to the race day, in October, when Tarrico will start contacting vendors.
According to Tarrico the volunteer benefits are numerous. “One of the reasons I enjoy doing this is the race committee is a cohesive, well-run group,” and he adds that after the gun goes off on race day, it’s a real sense of accomplishment. “It’s fun to be a part of something like this,” he says. Tarrico quickly adds another reason: the interaction with young people. “We have great volunteers who show up at 4:30 a.m. on race day with bright shiny smiles and they are ready to go.”
---Brenda Barrera
Allen Vaughan - Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC)
The Fredericksburg Area Running Club (FARC) is incredibly fortunate to have as many dedicated volunteers as we do, and one of the most tireless is Allen Vaughan. Recipient of FARC’s inaugural Richard Vesey Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010, Allen is a constant presence at FARC races and events. From packet pickup at FARC Grand Prix races to volunteering at the Marine Corps Marathon Historic Half Healthy living expo, to building a wheelchair ramp for a local FARC member in need, Allen is FARC’s go-to guy when something needs to be done.
One of the best known of Allen’s local volunteer efforts is FARC’s Spring Track Series held at James Monroe High School, which he created, organizes, and leads. Allen does it all for these races—from sign-up, to timing, to promotion, to providing post-race refreshments. This six week series features alternating, timed races each week ranging in distance from 400 meters to 2 miles. Open to the public and to all ages, the Spring Track Series has been increasingly popular each year, especially among local youth, and Allen deserves full credit for the series’ success and for helping promote running to a new audience.
Allen runs a lot of races in the region as well, and you have probably seen him at a few as well as photos of him in Washington Running Report. If you happen to run into him out on the roads, give him a thank you for all of his hard work.
---Jack Morrison, FARC President