Can someone explain how volunteering works for an Ironman branded race? What do people who volunteer get in exchange for their time and effort?
I’ve volunteered before but only as part of a tri club. Our club manned an aid station and within the club the volunteer chair coordinated who does what. I believe the club was given some relatively useless perks in exchange for doing that (they let us see the NBC Kona show before it aired? Maybe some left over gels, can’t recall, but don’t think there was anything actually useful).
The high school swim team I coach received a sizable donation the two years we volunteered at the World Champs in LasVegas. I was very happy and appreciative about that.
Thank you so much! That is exactly what I was after.
So according to this, all tri club “volunteers” are not volunteers. And everyone else voluntarily gives their time so that a corporation can make more money and people who can afford to participate in these races can have their fun? I’m not buying it. Isn’t there some kind of a grant system by IM, like “you provide volunteers and IM Foundation will give your school district a grant” or something like that?
Thank you. I was thinking that’s the case, wonder if this is how it works with all the volunteers - whether they personally get something in return, or some organization gets a grant on behalf of their volunteering.
Can someone explain how volunteering works for an Ironman branded race? What do people who volunteer get in exchange for their time and effort?
I’ve volunteered before but only as part of a tri club. Our club manned an aid station and within the club the volunteer chair coordinated who does what. I believe the club was given some relatively useless perks in exchange for doing that (they let us see the NBC Kona show before it aired? Maybe some left over gels, can’t recall, but don’t think there was anything actually useful).
Because people like to volunteer to support their sport? Volunteers also get priority registration if they want it. For years IMAZ would never hit general registration because the only to way to get a slot was to be a volunteer.
But if you’re talking about an exchange of goods for services, that’s not really volunteering. That’s earning wages through a barter system. But most people I know that volunteer do it because they like helping their fellow athletes and want to “spectate”.
I have volunteer for a local race organizer, usually they give you a free entry. But you have to do a full day’s work: 5AM to 3-4PM type stuff. Setup and tear down. IM volunteers don’t do near as much as that.
You also have some people out there that just like to volunteer to support anything.
I volunteered at IMWI (athlete checkin) this year, which I also raced. Received volunteer t-shirt and very cheap IM branded backpack. Was something like a 4 hour shift. You also received lunch if you worked full day (8 hours I think). Did it to give a little back to the sport. The other volunteers I worked with were great!
“Did it to give a little back to the sport.” - thank you, good for you, and I totally get this (my reasons for volunteering at races also).
I’m trying to understand how they can entice so many volunteers at each event though. I participate in races and every now and then I volunteer, sure. But usually when I volunteer it’s for a non-profit, not for a corporation or to support well-to-do people’s hobbies…
I’m trying to understand how they can entice so many volunteers at each event though. I participate in races and every now and then I volunteer, sure. But usually when I volunteer it’s for a non-profit, not for a corporation or to support well-to-do people’s hobbies…
Completely understand where you are coming from. I think a lot of big organisations really take advantage of the good will of volunteers. Like you I’m happy to give up my time for a good cause (not for profit, local events etc.). If the race organisation is making big profit I would expect them to compensate volunteers in some way - for example in UK there is a company called rat race that do more adventure racing kind of stuff and they give financial credit towards future event entry which seems mutually beneficial to both organisation and volunteers.
I have participated in many an Ironman triathlon and have volunteered in many an Ironman triathlon. Ironman is a big corporation, but especially if you are with an athlete/friend, or like seeing athletes - what the heck are you going to do if you don’t volunteer? You get a nice volunteer shirt, some food, and other stuff, plus you to be part of great/huge day for a bunch of people. Great fun. Do it. Just do it, no strings attached.
“Did it to give a little back to the sport.” - thank you, good for you, and I totally get this (my reasons for volunteering at races also).
I’m trying to understand how they can entice so many volunteers at each event though. I participate in races and every now and then I volunteer, sure. But usually when I volunteer it’s for a non-profit, not for a corporation or to support well-to-do people’s hobbies…
If you don’t want to volunteer for a corporation, don’t. Why does it bother you that other people do?
I’ve also seen students who need a certain amount of volunteer hours to pass a class or receive accreditation for a program they are in.
There were what appeared to be quiet a few of the Baylor fraternities and sororities out volunteering at IM Waco this weekend. I assume it was satisfying some volunteer requirement they have.
I think you didn’t need to make a new thread for this… if you are expected something in return for volunteering at a race, you should just post on this thread instead. Much more fitting.
I’ve never volunteered for an IM branded event, but I have volunteered for quite a few races put on by for-profit corporations.
Fwiw, I agree with you and don’t understand the motivation for people to give their time freely to corporations making millions of dollars (or even just thousands of dollars).
For the races I have worked, we’ve always received a free race credit. So I cheer on some people, maybe see some friends and volunteer no more than a few hours max and earn approximately a $40-60 value entry.
Where I am, I don’t know of any of the for-profit races looking for volunteers and giving nothing in return (doesn’t mean they don’t exist, just that I haven’t encountered them).
Some of the bigger half/full marathons (non-profits themselves) look for non-profit groups and running clubs and then make a donation to the group rather than to individuals, which is reasonable because then I’m donating my time to the non-profit.
Isn’t there some kind of a grant system by IM, like “you provide volunteers and IM Foundation will give your school district a grant” or something like that?
I tend to think that there are two types of volunteers: those that do it for the love of the sport and are trying to ensure that triathlon continues to be available and then there are those that are there because of a donations from the IM Foundation in exchange for volunteers. I believe getting the needed numbers of volunteers is the sole reason that the IM Foundation exists. How else do they convince the some boy scout troop to come hand out water bottles for 8 hours?
I had every good intention of volunteering yesterday at IMCA and was ready to head out the door for my shift when I saw that it was cancelled.
My reason for volunteering:
I’ve competed in four full distance IM’s and multiple 70.3’s and never volunteered so because it was in my hometown and I wasn’t planning to compete, I wanted to give back and be part of the really fun experienceIn the races I’ve competed in it was always the volunteers who stood outI wanted to be there to help my fellow triathletesEDIT (added comment) - Most importantly, I wanted to volunteer to be part of a community that I love being a part of despite whose making money. My alternative to not volunteering yesterday was sitting on the couch watching football. I would have much rather been out supporting and cheering on the racers.
IM Corporation wasn’t something that I considered whatsoever. There are a lot of other corporations to get pissed off at.
Recent St. George race was extremely low on volunteer participation. Yet when the sun was out the streets were packed deep with athletes family and their fans. All the while volunteer stations still scarce with help. Those whom I met were locals. Many or most unfamiliar with the sport. Yet they showed up. And did not run for cover when the weather turned ugly. Many sticking around longer than their committed 4 hour shifts and obvious why so: because of shortness of volunteers. And I am pretty sure most were Mormon. Which I am not. But impressed by their selflessness. Dedication. And heart. For a thankless (and grantless) job.
Volunteer people. Just volunteer. You may be surprised. And feel good. For no pay.