One of the critical ingredients in a successful triathlon is volunteers.  Volunteers make it possible to conduct a safe, well-organized event.  Individuals, teams, clubs, and service organizations are invited to volunteer. Training, shirts, and food are provided.  Below is a description of duties involved with each volunteer section:

  

 

We use a very simple rule when it comes to water safety: we can never have too many lifeguards on the water.  People who volunteer in this area will be directed by the "Swim Coordinator" to take a specific position along the swim course.  Our water safety flotilla (row boats and paddle boards) has two basic responsibilities:

 

 

 

These volunteers will assist with the check-in procedure of triathletes prior to the beginning of the swim.  Triathletes are guided to a holding area where we check off their numbers prior to the race.  Volunteers will also make sure every swimmer is wearing a white or bright colored swim cap.  No cap, no swim. At the end of the swim, we have volunteers who direct the participants to the transition area.  Volunteers are also asked to keep spectators off the course during the race.

 

 

Volunteers on the bike course are equipped with bright orange vests and orange flags.  Volunteers direct participants to turn appropriately at certain intersections.  Race organizers mark each turn with brightly colored signs and orange spray chalk on the road surfaces - but it also helps to have volunteers providing guidance and monitoring areas where bikers share the road with cars.  Police will be located at any intersection that requires vehicular traffic to stop and yield to bikers. Volunteers will not be asked to deal with vehicular traffic.  This is a job for the police.

 

 

Volunteers on the run course are primarily for motivation.  At this point in the race, athletes appreciate encouragement. The run course is simple, out and back, but we still need to monitor all trail splits to make sure runners don't accidentally veer off course.  Also, since the Lansing River Trail remains open to the public, volunteers may gently direct other runners/walkers to stay near the edge of the path to avoid racers.      

 

 

The transition area is the fenced in area containing all the bike racks. This area is the hub of action during a triathlon.  Volunteers will be stationed at all entrances to the transition area, where they will assist participants and keep spectators out (both for safety and security).  Racers must display their race number to gain access to the transition area. Before the race, transition area volunteers are provided with clipboards that contain a variety of frequently asked questions and answers.

 

 

Gault Race Management utilizes the state-of-the-art ChampionChip Timing System - the most advanced timing system in the world.  With the ChampionChip system volunteers basically have two jobs.

 

First, make sure that participants pass through the timing chutes (either fencing or pennant line will be used) and keep spectators out of the timing chutes.  Volunteers will also be asked to make sure that nobody (other than race staff) tampers with the timing mats or boxes.  Two volunteers are required at each timing location.

 

Second, at the finish line, volunteers will remove the velcro ankle bracelets from each participant.  These ankle bracelets hold the special computer timing chip.  After removing the bracelets, volunteers separate the ankle straps from the timing chips.  The finish line will be set up in such a fashion as to force participants to exit the finish line area through one narrow gate.  Volunteers will be stationed at this gate. Participants are NOT allowed to leave this area without removing their ankle bracelets.

 

 

Participants have to be marked so that officials can best identify them throughout the race.  Body marking is also done to assist the official race photographers.  Participants are marked with black magic markers.  Volunteers write the participant's number CLEARLY and LEGIBLY on both arms.  They also write the participant's age on the back of their right calf, which allows racers to judge their progress compared to others in their age division.

 

 

These are the folks who assist with serving the beverages and pre- and post-race food to participants and volunteers.

 

 

Volunteers are needed to guide participants and volunteers to designated parking areas.

 

 

We offer two aid stations during the run portion of the race.  Runners will pass the first station twice, once on the way out and once on the way back.  The second station is located at the halfway point, where runners turn to come back.  Volunteers fill and distribute cups of water.  Volunteers will also be staggered along the course to pick up cups during the race.  This will save a lot of time when the race is over.

 

 

Volunteers are always needed to assist race staff during check-in.  Prior to the race, participants must pick up their race numbers, event shirts, goody bags, etc.  This takes place for 1½ hours prior to the race and three hours the evening before the race.

 

 

If you or your organization would like to be a part of this incredible event, e-mail Hawk-I-Tri volunteer coordinator Jerrell Braden, or call him at (517) 374-5700. Please include your name and contact information as well as the area for which you would like to volunteer. If you are representing a team, club, organization etc. please also include the number of volunteers that will be participating.