Me

[TRIumphant]

Volunteered at IM Wales on the weekend. Filled out for the online form and asked for the swim. Emailed a few weeks ago saying I'm in for the swim, from 05:00 to 09:30, and the bike from 09:45 to 18:30. Luckily, my bike position was only a mile or so form the beach, so I confirmed I should be OK for both, but if they could find some cover for the latter part of the bike, it would be appreciated.

Rocked up Saturday afternoon, registered, got my free t-shirt and bag, and asked if I could make my way to the beach, and ended up doing the practice swim for two hours or so.

Got some last minute accommodation sorted with Mr MacNawty (cheers fella, and top performance).

Up early Sunday morning, and on the beach at 05:00. Started work straight away, laying out guard rails etc to set up the start line, then had to manage the start line, brief the athletes on the course, some had no real idea, manage the australian exit, then the final swim exit, before clearing the beach by 09:30.

Straight to my bike position, which was also to be a run feed station, bike were coming down the north bound carriageway, runners up and down the south bound.

Chair out, flask of coffee, and I was in situ to wait for the first bike.

15 minutes later a pile of teenagers turn up with a couple of teachers from a local school to set up the run feed station. I decide to stay out of the way.

Out of the secure store comes a pile of pepsi, bananas, gels, crackers, gatorade, cups, table etc, and they start to set up.

They obviously weren't concentrating too much at any brief they had, because what I heard began to scare me:
"Just hand out a banana to whoever wants one"
"Rip the tops of the gels"
"Pour them a cup of coke if they need one"
"Just give a can of Power Horse"
"Fill the cups up"

So I had to intervene. Ended setting up an up-and-down feed station, bananas cut in thirds, gels not opened, but sorted into standard and caffeinated, cups only half full, pepsi opened and flattened in advance, crackers out of boxes, and spread out, and each option repeated along the line.

Ended up running around like and idiot for seven hours keeping everything topped up, but did get some thanks from the teachers etc.

I'll be emailing the organisers today to highlight a few issues that could be improved for future events. Why are the only cups they can get got "Gatorade" written on them, would be some much easier if some had "Pepsi", and some were plain, or large signs above where differing drinks are, athletes would know in advance where to get everything form, rather than shouting and clashing with one another.

All in all, a tiring day, but a very rewarding and interesting day, I'll be back next year, but hopefully on the other side.

[Bendy Ben]

Well done mate

I've always said that events this big need the help from willing volunteers.
I can just imagine picking up opened gels, getting sticky goo everywere, then drinking fizzy coke.... That could ruin someones race!!

Sterling work.

[Tarka the Nutter]

Great work Tri. That could've turned into a nightmare for the racers.

Definitely let the race organisers know your thoughts and good on your for volunteering. Without the volunteers events couldn't run. I'm not sure how many racers realise/appreciate this.

[Seasider71]

I Concur, anyone that volunteers for an event needs a slap on the back, most do a sterling job and I always make a point of thanking as many as I can when I pass them.

[andyb99]

i reckon you saved a lot of peoples races that day fella.

top work

[Big_Show]

i reckon you saved a lot of peoples races that day fella.

top work

Damn straight. That could have been really messy for everyone if you hadn't happened to be there! You'd think they'd be given some more specific guidance ahead of the day.

[IronMorg]

top work mate... probably explains why one or two of the feed stations on the run seemed to have pepsi that was borderline fizzy! but not going to complain as you all did such a superb job helping out and keeping us going. I must have walked right past you on the beach then

[Kevy427]

Good work TRIumphant! Certainly helps to have volunteers working who have experienced racing/participation in the event to understand what the competitors need. As AndyB has already alluded to, and indeed a certain Mr W.Churchill - "Never in the field of Ironman was so much owed by so many to so few"

[Moff]

Lord W.Churchill - "Never in the field of Ironman was so much owed by so many to so few"

In stark contrast to what a friend of mine said after a night on the razz:

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much drunk by so few in such a short space of time." In Berlin. Having spent most of the night toasting Harry Patch amongst others.

[md6]

A definate slap on the back there. having experienced completely fizzy coke at an aid station in Zurich, and the results for an hour afterwards, you did save a lot of people a lot of gas, and worry (is it air or solid?) that day.