Volunteer Information
We couldn’t do this without team volunteers. We promise not to work you too hard, and will do whatever is necessary to be sure our volunteers have a pleasurable experience. Below are some general requirements for volunteers of this event, and some general duties.
Only teams from within the LOCAL COUNTIES area are required to provide a volunteer. Excluded from the LOCAL COUNTIES requirement are teams with EVERY team member living outside the local counties. To see a list of the counties, please click HERE…
We understand how hard it is for teams traveling long distances to find someone to come along with them to volunteer, and all the areas listed in our LOCAL COUNTIES should be within a reasonable drive to an area of the course.
Requirements:
Volunteers must be over the age of 18 or have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
Volunteers will be asked to work a shift, which could last between 2-6 hours depending on the duties and location of the scheduled shift.
Volunteers should keep in mind they are being asked to volunteer anywhere along the 180 mile course. This means from Indian Riverside park to Downtown Ft Myers is fair game for a scheduled shift. However, we will do our best to ensure our volunteers are placed near their home area so that nobody is stuck driving hours to volunteer for this event.
Volunteer assignments will be made by mid March 2009.
Volunteers are a integral part of a successful event. We are asking each registered team to commit one person to being the team volunteer, and we are counting on that person to show up for their scheduled shift and complete their assigned duties to the best of their ability. If a team’s volunteer does not show up for their scheduled shift, and has not made prior arrangements with us to have a substitute their team could be disqualified from the relay.
Safety and Courtesy:
While on the highways it is expected that all vehicles, as well as runners, obey FLorida State Highway Laws. Volunteers may not direct traffic. Please treat any and all residential areas along the course with the same respect you would show your neighbors. We are visitors in the communities we are running through, let’s be sure we are welcomed back.
If you are going to be your team’s volunteer, and this isn’t quite making sense yet, don’t worry we’ll send an information packet out to all of our volunteers prior to the race to get them up to speed on what is being asked of them. For a primer on relay races, click here
Volunteer Duties:
Come race day there is a multitude of things we need volunteers to help with. Below is a sampling of some duties a volunteer may be asked to do. We will always try to assign volunteers close to their home areas, so that no volunteer has to travel hours to reach their assigned station.
- Direct runners on the course
- Staff aid stations
- Help manage crowding at the exchange points
- Record any rule violations
- Assist with the flow of traffic, and ensure only team vans are parking in designated exchange zones
- Be a resource for participants with regards to navigating the upcoming leg
- Help clean up the exchange zone after all runners have passed
- Help at the start/finish line with race related logistics (assisting runners with where to check in, etc)
- Other duties as assigned by the race directors
On Race Day
Prior to race day, all volunteers will have received information about their assigned volunteer duties and locations. You will be given the time at which your volunteer shift begins and ends, as well as a detailed list explaining what is being asked of you. Please try to arrive at your scheduled location early, and resolve any questions with your team captain or one of the race directors before race day.
What to Bring:
Bring most anything you want in order to be comfortable, here are some items we suggest you bring.
- A great attitude!
- Something to sit on
- Sunscreen
- Hat/Visor
- Camera
- Snacks
- Reflective clothing (at night)
- Flashlight (again, at night)
Please Refrain From Bringing:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Pets
- Children
- Negativity
Sunrise to Sunset Relay Will Provide:
- Volunteer T-shirt
- Maps of the exchange point and the upcoming leg, as well as other useful information (Emergency #’s, etc)
- Cones to properly mark the exchange point
- Rule book
- Garbage bags
Exchange Closure:
If you are volunteering at an exchange zone, please do not leave the exchange zone until the last runner has passed, or your scheduled shift is over and another volunteer is there to take your place.
