Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities
Thank you for volunteering. Below are links to specific information about each specific race site as well as a general listing of responsibilities for each job. You will also receive an email the week before the race with further information. Contact our race directors with any questions.
An announcer and spotter are located at the finish line to announce racers as they cross the line. This role is typically filled by the Race Director. Please contact him/her before registering.
- Announce racer’s name and any other provided information as they cross the finish line
- Help with setup and cleanup of area
- The information provided includes, whom the racer is racing for, the racer’s school, age, # of races, etc.
- Microphone and materials provided, may work with a spotter as needed
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
The Bike Course volunteers assist with maintaining the safety of the racers while on the bike course. These volunteers assist with keeping spectators off the course when racers are approaching, assist riders in distress as needed and provide overall encouragement to racers. Responsibilities include:
- Assist with maintaining the safety of the racers while on the bike course
- Assist with keeping spectators off the course when racers are approaching
- Assist riders in distress as needed and provides overall encouragement to racers
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
These volunteers will be on bike monitoring the safety of the riders and jumping in to repair bikes as needed. Basic bike support skills are needed as well as confidence in riding. These volunteers are typically approved by the Bike Course captain. Please contact the race director or captain prior to signing up for this role. Responsibilities include:
- Ride the course during the race (on a bike you provide) and troubleshoot any course problems as they arise
- Assist the general bike course volunteers as they help individual riders with bike maintenance or first aid problems
- Provide feedback on the progress of the various courses via text or walkie talkie
These volunteers will be on bike. Ride along side racers as either the lead or sweep bike tracker. This volunteer must be able to bike distances up to 5 miles and have lots of enthusiasm. You must provide your own bike and helmet. Responsibilities include:
- Ride the course during the race (on a bike you provide) as a lead or sweep tracker
- Communicate with the Transition Monitor via text or walkie talkie as to the progress of the race
- Help with clean up
Join others in helping racers get their bikes up and down the driveway into transition. This job is for the fit, and eager to move a crowd! This role is only needed at our Chapel Hill race. Responsibilities include:
- Help racers get their bikes to and from transition from the bike mount and dismount locations
- Provide encouragement and support to racers as needed
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Crossing guards are essentially our “bouncers”…keeping spectators off the course in key locations and maintaining order ensuring they do not interfere with racers and monitoring areas in which the spectators can cross over the course. If they MUST cross a path, assist when a racer is not approaching! Responsibilities include:
- Ensure spectators do not interfere with racers
- Monitor areas in which the spectators can cross over the course
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
The Finish Line volunteers are responsible for maintaining a safe area for the racers as they cross the finish line. Ensure that spectators wait to approach racers until they have fully exited the finishing chute, collect timing chips from racers’ ankles, and support any racers in distress. Responsibilities include:
- Maintain a safe area (spectator free) for the racers as they cross the finish line
- Work with STARS to give each finisher a medal
- Collect timing chips from racers ankles
- Support any racers in distress – ensure they are ok to leave the finish area
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
The First Aid volunteers staff a particular location on the race course and are provided with basic first aid equipment such as water and band-aids. These volunteers are supervised by the First Aid Captain who is a medical professional. Responsibilities include:
- Provide aid to spectators, volunteers, and racers as needed
- Complete incident report form, if applicable
- Communicate about emergencies as appropriate
- Seek additional help immediately if needed (call 911 if appropriate)
- Staff a particular location on the race course (will be provided with basic first aid equipment such as water and band-aids)
- Supervised by the First Aid Captain who is a medical professional
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
This is only a SATURDAY job. Packet Pickup volunteers help distribute race packets, racer bibs, incentives, and swag bags to racers on the day before the event. They set the tone for the weekend! Responsibilities include:
- Help distribute race packets, racer bibs, incentives, t-shirts, and swag bags to racers on the day before the event
- Help body mark racers
- Distribute wrist bands (if applicable)
- Help racers to label and drop off bikes (if applicable)
- Manage the STARs registration
- Support same day registrations and collect fundraising dollars
- Answer general FAQs from racers and families
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Direct cars to parking and racers and spectators towards the Start Zone and Transition areas. Must be 19 years of age or older. Must be available between 6:45-end of race. This only applies to our Alexandria and Pioneer Valley races. Responsibilities include:
- Direct cars to park in designated areas
- Assist and direct racers towards Transition and Start Zone
- Provide a warm welcome to all racers and families
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Face Painting volunteers work in the Party Zone and assist with creating a fun and inviting environment for racers as they celebrate completion of the race course. Responsibilities include:
- Paint children’s faces in party zone
- Assist with creating a fun and inviting environment for racers as they celebrate completion of the race course
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
The Party Zone is where racers congregate and celebrate after completing the race course. Typically the Party Zone includes fun items like face painters, bounce houses, a DJ, food and more. General volunteers may support the Donate Now tent, the food tables, tattoos, DJ, and moon bounces. Responsibilities include:
- Assist as needed in the Party Zone, where racers congregate and celebrate after completing the race course
- Typical assignments could be ensuring the safety of guests on the bounce houses by limiting the number of kids bouncing at one time, overseeing food tables, supporting the DJ with dancing, applying tattoos to racers
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Photographers spread throughout the race course to photograph racers, spectators and volunteers. Camera equipment required. We will provide flash cards to be turned in at the end of the event. Some photographers will be stationed at the photo booth or the finish line.
- Camera equipment required (flash cards will be provided to be turned in at the end of the event)
- Before the race, spread out around the pre-race and transition areas to capture as many candid moments of participants/volunteers and other interesting group shots; photos of the set-up are also appreciated
- During the race, spread throughout the race course to photograph racers, spectators, and volunteers
- Some photographers will be designated to a specific location or course (ie: bike course)
- As the race finishes, photographers should be capturing as many candid post-race shots of racers enjoying the after-race euphoria
- Posed group shots are great, as well as the candid moments of authentic JTI experiences that help tell the JTI story (hugs, celebrations, camaraderie, encouragement, etc.)
As we get closer to the event, we will assign you to one of the many race day jobs that need filling. We will not ask you to be in the pool, run with the racers, photography, or face paint as those are “specialty” roles. You can expect to volunteer roughly 6am – 10:30am. You must be 14 years of age to volunteer.
This role is only at our Bethesda and Pioneer Valley races.
- Keep parents in their car – do not allow a driver to leave his/her car unattended
- Direct racers safely to the transition area with their bikes (if applicable)
- Direct cars off campus to park – Be friendly and reassuring to racers and parents. They can reconvene with their racers in the start zone once the parents have parked
- After Opening Ceremonies, move to Transition to help there during the race
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
This role is for the uber organized and detail focused individual. The ideal volunteer has comfort with technology – opening and printing files. This job occurs the days leading up to Race Weekend and on Saturday.
- Prep envelopes in advance of Packet Pickup – this must be done on Thursday or Friday before the race. This also requires printing labels (provided) at home. All materials provided.
- Manage Same Day Registrations and Donations during Packet Pickup on Saturday.
- Keep records and deliver them to the RD at the end of Packet Pickup on Saturday.
The Run Course volunteers are responsible for assisting in maintaining a safe run course environment for racers, identifying racers that may be in need of assistance, cooling off racers with water from squirt bottles if desired, and encouraging racers as they make their way along the course.
- Assist in maintaining a safe run course environment for racers
- Identify racers that may be in need of assistance
- Cool off racers with water from squirt bottles if desired and available/appropriate
- Provide water to racers on the run course, if applicable
- Encourage racers as they make their way along the course
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Want to help young runners do their best? Want to run alongside these inspirational racers and cheer them on? This is the job for you! We are looking for energetic runners to help lead racers along the run course and help them have their best race. Some rabbits will be running with the first racers, others will be running with the last as a sweep. Cheer them on! Coach them! Show your support! This job requires a volunteer that can run long distances (3-4 miles) and has lots of enthusiasm.
- Help lead and pace racers on the run course and help them have their best race; some should run with the first racer and others will be sweeping the course
- Report on last runners to the Transition Monitor as they come in for each course
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Join in the anticipation as we set up for the next day’s event. This job is on SATURDAY. Responsibilities include:
- Help with setup and cleanup of area
- We will be in teams for set up preparing the course for the race
- Each area will be “check off” by the race director before it is finishedHelp with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
“I need help tying my shoes!” Help organize racer shoes in the pool area so that each racer can grab their shoes and go when exiting the pool. Assist racers with drying their feet and tying their shoes when assistance is requested. Enthusiasm, nimble fingers, and ability to kneel repeatedly are required. Responsibilities include:
- Organizing the shoes for each racer in the pool area
- Assisting athletes in getting shoes on and tied
- Directing them towards transition
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Start Zone volunteers are charged with helping pre-race entertainment such as tattoos and corn hole games; lining racers up for the start and leading them into the pool. Some racers have to wait a long time so your enthusiasm and encouragement is important! You will need to answer lots of questions from athletes and their parents. Responsibilities include:
- Gather racers to line up for the start and lead them to the pool
- Some racers have to wait a long time so your enthusiasm and encouragement is important!
- Apply tattoos to racers as they wait and “party”
- Check on coolers and trash in the Start zone periodically
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Be part of where it all begins. Assist with lining swimmers up according to their preassigned start order. Help ensure that the race start timeline is being followed and switch courses efficiently. Direct athletes to their assigned lanes to start the race, and then point them to the pool exit. Responsibilities include:
- Line up swimmers according to their preassigned start order
- Place timing chips around ankles (if applicable)
- Direct athletes to their assigned lanes to start the race
- Direct athletes to the pool exit
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
You will assist swimmers in the lanes as they make their way across the pool. Wear your bathing suit! Towels will be provided but we also suggest bringing your own. Responsibilities include:
- Assist swimmers in the pool by giving them a kick board or supporting them across the pool (if needed)
- Respond to lifeguards on deck if a swimmer needs help
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Begin in the morning by helping racers place their bikes in the transition area, body marking them with their race numbers and attaching timing chips to their ankles. Help maintain athletes’ safety as they transition through the area, and keep the area secure by not allowing spectators or parents into the transition area. The transition area also serves as our “lost and found.” Responsibilities include:
- Help racers place their bikes in the transition area and set up belongings
- Body mark racers with their race numbers (if applicable)
- Help maintain athletes’ safety as they transition through the area
- Direct racers to Bike out and Run out exits as appropriate
- Keep the area secure by not allowing spectators or parents into the transition area
- Collect “lost” materials in one place as the transition area also serves as our “lost and found”
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
Assist with volunteer check in making sure our volunteers know their roles on race day. T-shirt distribution and overall management of all volunteers. This has been coined “the most rewarding job!” Responsibilities include:
- Check in each volunteer ensuring that they know their job / role
- Give each volunteer a lanyard (name and emergency contact info) as well as t-shirt (required to wear on race day)
- Give bike and run volunteers bag with first aid supplies, note card and pencil, and optional water bottle
- Ask that lanyards and unused supplies are returned post race
- Distribute walkie talkies to Captains
- Provide information as needed to volunteers
- Inventory volunteer shirts and lanyards post race
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area
This job is not needed at all our races. Responsibilities include:
- Assist in maintaining a safe run course environment for racers
- Supply water to all racers as they come by
- Direct racers along the course and to turnaround if applicable
- Encourage racers as they make their way along the course
- Help with cleanup of area – everything must be brought to a central area