Volunteer Guide
We appreciate our volunteers! For many volunteering is rewarding and a great way to give back to the running community. For others, it is a way to see things from the other side of the table, and learn a lot about the race before jumping into them.
TJM RACING VOLUNTEER BENEFITS:
Complimentary Ten Junk Miles Racing Volunteer Gear
Race Credit good toward a future Ten Junk Miles Racing event: Work eight (8) hours or more at any three (3) Ten Junk Miles Racing events and receive one (1) Free Race Entry to one race of your choice.*
*Volunteer Credits must be used by contacting the Race Directors during normal registration period and may not be used on race day registration.
GENERAL INFORMATION
All aid stations on the course feature food and water. Volunteer shifts are broken up into approximately 4 to 8 hour shifts for the duration of the race.
Keep an eye out on the weather forecast. Keep in mind that you will be spending the day or night outdoors subject to the elements (exposed sun in the day, cold temperatures at night, and possible rain).
Please be prepared for the unexpected by packing some extra clothing, sunscreen, hat, extra water and food. If you are out at an aid station late at night, you may even want to bring a small tent and sleeping bag for a quick rest.
Please bring layers, a good jacket, gloves, beanie and flashlight for a night shift to keep warm and pack rain gear if the weather looks questionable.
Please plan to arrive a few minutes early and check-in with the Captain of your assigned aid station. Parking in some areas may be limited, so plan ahead.
On race day, have fun! Runners appreciate positive energy from the aid stations. When you first arrive to your aid station, familiarize yourself with all of the foods and beverages available and where backup supplies are located. We’ve had frantic calls for more supplies in the past and come to find out they were already at the aid station, hidden away in a box! Each aid station has a first aid kit and "utility bin" containing all kinds of supplies such as paper towels, duct tape, hand sanitizer, and wipes.
For those who have not worked an aid station before, the front runners will need minimal help. They want to get in and out quickly. Offer them help filling their bottles, but also be ready to just stay out of their way and let them move through quickly if that’s what they choose. After the front runners come through, things will relax and runners will enjoy the personalized attention. Stand out in front of the aid station, offer to take their bottles and fill them while they are getting food.
We’ve found the largest bottleneck to be filling water bottles and hydration bladders. We encourage you to use the supplied water pitchers to quickly refill bottles during peak times of business.
It’s OK to snack on aid station food during your shift. Water and soda at aid stations can be a precious commodity for the runners, but please keep yourself hydrated using race supplies.
There is more substantial food available at/near the start/finish line. If you are going to an outlying aid station, feel free to grab some before or after your shift. If there’s something particular you really want to eat or drink during your shift, you’ll want to bring it along.
Food and beverage related tasks include cutting fruit, making peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, making bean burritos, pouring soda, keeping the table stocked with snacks, and keeping water and energy drink jugs full.
Each aid station will receive two trash containers. It is a good idea to position these containers 50 - 100 yards on each side of the aid station in addition to the aid station itself for runners to drop trash into as they often carry a cup or wrapper with them as they leave. Bags should be changed out when they are ¾ full. Even organic waste like banana and orange peels need to be thrown away.
All aid stations will have generators with lighting, but please bring a flashlight for backup (and to hike to/from your station).