I can still sign up this morning, nearly a full day since registration opened for next year’s race.
I mean, I sorta feel like I am being played as a tool by faithfully putting in my time in order to insure a spot in the 2012 event.
I can see being a voluteer if it was for charity. But the WTC is a FOR-PROFIT entity. My efforts are simply being used to line the pockets of the owners.
Because when you’re out there next year other volunteers will be making your day possible. WTC promised nothing other than a place at the front of the line, which is what you got.
Thom
x2.
I had fun volunteering at IM FL when I did. I like to look at it as helping fellow athletes and not working for the WTC for free. Others clearly see it differently though…
I can still sign up this morning, nearly a full day since registration opened for next year’s race.
I mean, I sorta feel like I am being played as a tool by faithfully putting in my time in order to insure a spot in the 2012 event.
I can see being a voluteer if it was for charity. But the WTC is a FOR-PROFIT entity. My efforts are simply being used to line the pockets of the owners.
What did you think you were doing when you signed up to be a volunteer? What were your expectations?
I don’t understand this post. So the only reason you volunteer is to reserve a spot? And since the race doesn’t sell out onsite and opens up to the public the next day, that is the fault of WTC?
I see it as your getting promised a spot line. That is your payment. If WTC had to pay for everyone there, our entry feel would be big money. Plus, I found it fun and enjoyed helping people reach their goals.
Did you get a shirt?
Did you get a shirt?
Lol, Good one. I forgot about the shirts!
No. I didn’t volunteer this year.
Why bother volunteering next year for a slot the following year is my point. After lodging, travel, time away from work, etc., I am facing a fairly high price tag to be first in line. But being first in-line has no value if one can sign up for the race with no problem at this late date.
No. I didn’t volunteer this year.
Why bother volunteering next year for a slot the following year is my point. After lodging, travel, time away from work, etc., I am facing a fairly high price tag to be first in line. But being first in-line has no value if one can sign up for the race with no problem at this late date.
WTC certainly never told you that you have to volunteer to get a slot. If you don’t want to volunteer, don’t. I’m not understanding what the problem is here.
My concern is that quality of the event plummets when people figure out that there is no need to volunteer.
last year it sold out quickly online. This year it didn’t. Last year two friends and I all tried getting in as soon as registration re-opened (the server crashed during the original online registration due to volume) and only I got in. So I don’t look at it as a waste if you want to make sure you get a spot. The online registration can be a crapshoot.
And people like you get the Tshirt and do not show up for their shift.
My concern is that quality of the event plummets when people figure out that there is no need to volunteer.
Most of the thousands of volunteers have no desire to do an Ironman. They enjoy the fun of helping out and being close to the action.
Do you appreciate it when you do race and there are volunteers there to help out?
I volunteered this year with no intention of signing up for next year. I did it in 2010 and was very happy I had someone helping me through transition. Hopefully I had the same impact on someone this year and they will sign up and volunteer next year cuz they love the sport and camaraderie.
My concern is that quality of the event plummets when people figure out that there is no need to volunteer.
The quality of the event was outstanding before they ever started granting front-of-line status to volunteers. Volunteers looking for the registration advantage are a very small part of the total.
Onsite registration has always been available. There has never been a need to volunteer.
No. I didn’t volunteer this year.
Why bother volunteering next year for a slot the following year is my point. After lodging, travel, time away from work, etc., I am facing a fairly high price tag to be first in line. But being first in-line has no value if one can sign up for the race with no problem at this late date.
Someone could just pay for the Ironman Foundation slot and avoid the hassle.
ETA: And get a little income tax deduction in the process.
Taking it step further, once you factor in travel expenses and lost time from work, even paying the premium for a Community Fund slot (including the whatever tax deduction you can take for a charitable contribution) is pretty much a wash or you might even come out ahead. The straight dollars and cents approach completely casts aside the idea of paying-it-forward for your race and good karma never hurts at IM! I’ve volunteered in the past to get my spot in the volunteer sign-up line and would do it again without hesitation.
I wouldn’t worry about it, there are 3500 volunteer slots and they all get filled with people that want to help. I never heard a volunteer say they wish they didn’t help.
If you don’t want to help, don’t.
Just another example of how the 3 sports in triathlon are Me, Me, and Me…