Volunteer

This is a leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

Main role is to provide support to participants, their friends and families and even to other volunteers on Race Day.  This may include anything from answering questions to providing directions to helping lost and found children.

The Race Day schedule is hectic and busy. Two races will run concurrently – the Full Marathon and Half-Marathon.  In addition to the Information Booth Ambassadors, Roving Information Ambassadors will be present in the Start / Finish area of these races in order to answer questions from and generally guide participants and spectators as required.

Roving “Ask Me” Information Ambassadors will be the primary hosts that greet, direct and answer questions from participants and other guests prior to entering the Expo & Registration or the staging area for one of the four events on race day.

Based at the Information Booth / Tent, Information Booth Ambassadors will greet guests, answering questions related to the races, the Expo and related events and distributing information and maps of the race course and Vancouver. The Information Booth / Tent will be located adjacent to the start and finish.

As a package pickup volunteer, you will be responsible for assembling a runner’s package, ensuring that a runner’s information is correct, performing bib quality control, solving minor package pick-up problems, providing directions and giving customer satisfaction through ensuring the shortest possible waiting times.

Front desk volunteer writes the bib number on a piece of paper. A bag runner takes the number, finds the bag, gives it back to its owner, and discards the number. As a security measure, runners may ONLY pick up their own bags. If needed a medical crew member may ask for a runner’s bag. In this case, refer the medical team member to the area Captain.

The primary responsibility of the clean up team is to make sure that course, runners’ compound, expo and all facilities used for event are clean up during and after the event depending on assigned shift during race day. Each volunteer clean up team will be given garbage bags to pick up discarded clothing, cups, wrappers or other race garbage along the course or near their aid station all garbage needs to be left at a designated spot at an aid station for the city to pick up after the race. We ask for volunteers to separate recycling & clothing from garbage. Additionally all garbage clothing & recycling needs to be brought back to the aid station as it will not be picked up otherwise.

We provide 15,000 participants with packages for the event. During race week your role will be to put together the items required to hand out to participants when they check in at the Expo by placed them inside bags. Every year the bags are prepared ahead of race day and on race day they are handed out to all participants.

Requires being physically capable of lifting up 35-50lbs (small child), working outdoors, have a driver’s licence, and the desire to commit to being a part of the operational backbone of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. Ability to work in a team environment and be supportive of the warehouse operational team be a self starter, motivated, innovative, flexible and patient.  One of the most important expectations for this role is being excited to support all the volunteers and participants on event week to make one of the largest marathons (& half marathons) in Canada a great success.

Prepare, sort out and clean course supplies such as cones, banners, safety vests and setting up various equipments as required and assigned during race week and event day.

This is a leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

The main role is to remind runners that their bags must be secure at all times and make sure that runners actually secure their bags. Explain to volunteers that bags must not be thrown onto the ground as gear could spill. Gear will arrive too quickly to place in the lanes, so pile the gear into groups of numbers (pre-sort). This makes placing them into the lanes much faster.

Give more space for full marathon gear than for the half-marathon because full marathon runners usually have more gear. Their tables should have fewer numbers in each row and runners will line up and leave their bags according to their race number. This will help pre-sort the bags and should minimize lost or mis-sorted bags.

15,000 participants will move across the finish line on race day into an enclosed runners compound area. During two peak periods in the morning roughly 200 people a minute will be crossing the finish line. It is essential that these people are making a timely and safe progression through the runners’ compound back to the Expo. Be respectful, be noticed, be visible, be encouraging and & FUN!

It is important to have volunteers direct the runners, especially if they appear to be confused. Other roles include being our primary cheerleaders and motivators. Many participants have had a good day purely from the encouragement given by enthusiastic volunteers from Start to Finish. Provide simple instructions stated firmly and loudly to instruct runners to “GREAT JOB runners! This way!” while indicating with exaggerated arm movement the direction they must take. Marshals must not be shy.

Areas of responsibilities will include enforcing all event safety rules and procedures in a professional and courteous manner. Verify proof of age and documentation to prevent entrance to restricted areas and minors. Limit access to comply with capacity and City of Vancouver regulations. Anyone found armed or in possession of drugs needs to be evicted or handed over to law enforcement.

Regularly monitor crowds inside and outside of the facilities to maintain a controlled safe and fun environment for participants, officials and spectators. Identify potential hazards including potential fights or acts of harassment. Report unruly individuals to the proper authorities for immediate action to be taken in order to avoid property damage and injuries to participants, spectators and officials during the event.

Key responsibilities will include marshalling the marathon and half marathon runners by dividing each start corral in groups while standing in between the marked areas in front of the participants, and making sure the participants are staying behind the rope.

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Captain in setting up various stations and equipment on the course of the marathon. Some of the places will include preparing and setting up the Expo at Vancouver Convention Centre East, Start Area, Finish Line and medical stations. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set up crew.

Welcome all invited VIP and Guests. Verify media accreditations and guide both VIP and media to their respective areas as required.

This role requires two teams of people one at the Start and Finish line.

Start Announcer Support

Provides operational support to the announcing team. The two individuals selected will be at the start line for all the events providing invaluable support to our announcing team. They will have all access, this is a high profile position. Duties include; security (ensuring integrity of the announcer area-only accredited individuals on the stage), running after supplies needed, ensuring the announcer have what they need.

Finish Announcer Support

These two people will be supporting the announcer stage and ensuring only accredited people are there, keeping it clear, and running after supplies (electrical, food, etc) as needed.

Escort cyclists are essentially the “eyes and ears” of the race and an incredible resource to participants, volunteers and staff. They act as guides for the participants, alert start and finish of race progress and volunteers and aid stations on course of the race approaching, and monitor course conditions including making sure the integrity of the course signage and security is maintained throughout the time during the marathon.

As a lead cyclist the main role is to stay in front of the first place male and female runners for the entire race only moving aside prior to the finish line. The lead cyclists protect the athlete and clear the path, but do not interfere with any runners. Vocal instructions can be given to people or vehicles that may be in the way, or should be given notice of the runner coming through. Large cyclist flags will be mounted on the bikes to draw attention. Cyclists will be assigned to ride ahead of each athlete. Cyclists will have a bell on bikes to warn participants and spectators of cyclists, vehicles and runners approaching.

Most of our participants are not familiar with all of the streets in Vancouver our course travels on. For this reason, it is important to have volunteers direct the runners. Course Marshals provide directions to participants and are also our primary cheerleaders and motivators. Many participants have finished or have run faster purely from the encouragement given by an enthusiastic marshal on the course.

This is a leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

The lead runners will rely on you 100% to guide them. For safety and course integrity stay far enough ahead, so as not to pace him but guide the runner through the designated course. Escorts should ensure that they are visible to the rider, the Pace motorcycle or car at times.

The lead may change during the race. Stay with the current leader at all times. When you arrive at the Finish line, move off the course about 100 metres from the finish and let the leader finish alone.

The lead female runner will be mixed in with lead male(s) to start the Marathon. Escorts will leave with the lead male escorts. Based on previous events, it is likely that the escorts will be able to determine the lead female runner roughly 2-3km into the race. At this time, the female escorts are responsible for moving into place ahead of and just behind the lead female runner(s), but cyclist must be careful not to interfere with other runners.

Historically, the lead female(s) will have lost sight of the lead male(s) and Pace car at this point. It is vital that the designated bike escort team move into position to guide the lead female runner(s) at this point, following the same guidelines listed above.

The role of sweep cyclists is to stay behind the last participant in all events. Sweep is responsible for locating the runner(s) that are at the back of the Half Marathon or Full Marathon events. This will require sweep to be able to interpret bib colours and be able to locate and communicate with any runners. Sweep (generally) will rotate throughout the day & all cyclists will have radios to update dispatch what position they are in. Updates are vital to ensure participant safety as the Vancouver Police Department needs official word from Course Operations to re-open the roads.

Most of our participants will pass a number of landmarks & aid stations throughout the course. The organizers of the Vancouver Marathon thought that certain distance milestones needed to be recognized and celebrated along the course-hence the arches. Next to the smaller arches will also be timing mats and clocks. These are here to provide information & live tracking to the participants while running through the streets in Vancouver. For this reason, it is important to have volunteers near these arches & race clocks to ensure the integrity of the arches for the duration of the race. Marshals also play a big role as our primary cheerleaders and motivators. Many participants have finished or have run faster purely from the encouragement given by an enthusiastic marshal on the course.

A zone leader (ZL) serves a vital link in the course management of an integrated communication network, but more importantly is a great motivator and ensures that not only do we help participants reach and achieve their goals on race day, but we provide a positive, supportive, and fun environment for our extensive volunteer family.

It’s obvious that one person cannot be at all the stations at once, and as the event has grown so has the need for volunteer captains on the course and the management of the tremendous resources required for the event beyond one person. Safety is our number one priority and as a result the creation of zones throughout the course with each zone being supervised by a single direct leader in order to communicate efficiently with all captains or attend to their needs in a timely and efficient manner, especially in an emergency (medical or operational).

The Lead, Media & Sweep drivers are volunteers and a vital part of the Marathon. There are two lead vehicles, two sweeps, and one media vehicle, each with a defined role.

The sweeps in addition to providing updates to course operations of the tail end of the event are also crucial at the start of the day.  They will be part of the check point system which will ensure the integrity of the course. Sweep drivers will be strategically located on the course to prevent either “turkey’s” (un-registered runners) from running in the event, or preventing runners into a section of the course that may not be open (6am start running faster than 6+ pace). Sweep is also responsible for locating the runner(s) that are at the back of the Half Marathon or Full Marathon events. The Escort Cyclists team will also have sweeps as a redundancy. This will require sweep to be able to interpret bib colours and be able to locate and communicate with any runners and to ensure that we can offer them support and encouragement even if they don’t finish the event.

The Lead Drivers are essentially the “eyes and ears” for the operations teams on course & site, and also the visible lead for spectators. They are a direct link to the course and start/ finish and ensure constant feedback of race progress. Media drivers also drive near the front of the race and ensure that they get the best opportunities to view the race up close. Additionally the Media Driver is a rare & special volunteer that needs to have been involved with the event and know its history. Quite often, more stories are generated from the conversations in the vehicle rather than the race itself.

There are several medical stations on course located at water aid stations. Additionally there is one acute care tent near the start line at the Expo (open during race week to volunteers & staff only), and Medical HQ located near the finish line. Each course medical station is numbered corresponding to the water station they are next to (i.e. Water-4/ Med-4) and are housed in a POD. Each course medical station is completely self-contained & will only require lunches to be dropped off by the captain.

These stations are located strategically in regular intervals on both the Full and Half marathon courses. Volunteer role at water stations is to provide water, gel and sports drinks to participants as they run through the course. The staggered orientation will ensure that SLOWER participants move to the right and FASTER participants move to the left. It also allows those participants not wanting anything to move quickly around the groups slowing for these tables. It is your responsibility to also guide the runners’ as they come through the aid station in order to ensure a seamless movement of all participants.

Some of the Water stations will also be gel stations (location TBA). This was done intentionally as gels require fluids to consume, so the idea was to have the participant grab a gel and consume it, by washing it down by the water station with their choice of water or Gatorade. Gel Stations are numbered according to their location by a water station, the captain will be responsible for inventory & set up/ tear down & should be waiting to meet the ops truck before & after the event.

Safety is a key priority for the event and as volunteers working in the signage team you will be required to move cones or barricades into place throughout the course as needed in order to provide directions to the runners. Time & efficiency are essential to get these in place. All signs where possible should be ABOVE the participants and not on the ground, so that it is in plain view within a large group. Some signage volunteers will be needed to hold signs ahead of the runners, if necessary, or they may attach the signs to dowels or street light poles to warn participants of a particular hazard or of particular mile marker.

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Captain in setting up various stations and equipment on the course of the marathon. Some of the places will include preparing and setting up the Expo at Vancouver Convention Centre East, Start Area, Finish Line and medical stations. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set up crew.

Before race day, the course needs to be properly marked in order to give participants guidance throughout the route. The main responsibility is to mark the course in order for the runners to have clear directions on how the route will be run or walked.

This is a leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

The main role is to give the participants (runners) their medals as they come through the Finish Line. There are two events during race day, the Full Marathon and Half Marathon.  Each participants bib will have a color that corresponds to their event and their medal which will assist you in giving the participants the right medal matching their bib colour.

15,000 participants will move across the finish line on race day into an enclosed runners compound area. During two peak periods in the morning roughly 200 people a minute will be crossing the finish line. It is essential that these people are making a timely and safe progression through the runners’ compound back to the Expo. Be respectful, be noticed, be visible, be encouraging and & FUN!

It is important to have volunteers direct the runners, especially if they appear to be confused. Other roles include being our primary cheerleaders and motivators. Many participants have had a good day purely from the encouragement given by enthusiastic volunteers from Start to Finish. Provide simple instructions stated firmly and loudly to instruct runners to “GREAT JOB runners! This way!” while indicating with exaggerated arm movement the direction they must take. Marshals must not be shy.

After finishing an endurance event, regardless of distance (Full or Half Marathon) a participant will often feel chilled even on a hot day. The blanket is a simple & efficient way to take the chill off & ensure some heat retention (more important if it is raining).

Approach participants asking them if they want a blanket, if yes and space is available let them approach you. Swing behind the participant & gently place on their shoulders. If space is not available and a large group is moving through, hand your blanket to the participant.

There are several medical stations on course located at water aid stations. Additionally there is one acute care tent near the start line at the Expo (open during race week to volunteers & staff only), and Medical HQ located near the finish line. Each course medical station is numbered corresponding to the water station they are next to (i.e. Water-4/ Med-4) and are housed in a POD. Each course medical station is completely self-contained & will only require lunches to be dropped off by the captain.

The primary responsibility of the clean up team is to make sure that course, runners’ compound, expo and all facilities used for event are clean up during and after the event depending on assigned shift during race day. Each volunteer clean up team will be given garbage bags to pick up discarded clothing, cups, wrappers or other race garbage along the course or near their aid station all garbage needs to be left at a designated spot at an aid station for the city to pick up after the race. We ask for volunteers to separate recycling & clothing from garbage. Additionally all garbage clothing & recycling needs to be brought back to the aid station as it will not be picked up otherwise.

Areas of responsibilities will include enforcing all event safety rules and procedures in a professional and courteous manner. Verify proof of age and documentation to prevent entrance to restricted areas and minors. Limit access to comply with capacity and City of Vancouver regulations. Anyone found armed or in possession of drugs needs to be evicted or handed over to law enforcement.

Regularly monitor crowds inside and outside of the facilities to maintain a controlled safe and fun environment for participants, officials and spectators. Identify potential hazards including potential fights or acts of harassment. Report unruly individuals to the proper authorities for immediate action to be taken in order to avoid property damage and injuries to participants, spectators and officials during the event.

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Captain in setting up various stations and equipment on the course of the marathon. Some of the places will include preparing and setting up the Expo at Vancouver Convention Centre East, Start Area, Finish Line and medical stations. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set up crew.

Assisting runners after they cross the Finish Line as many participants need a shoulder to lean on or help in getting settled comfortably after completing the race.

Welcome all invited VIP and Guests. Verify media accreditations and guide both VIP and media to their respective areas as required.

This role requires two teams of people one at the Start and Finish line.

Start Announcer Support

Provides operational support to the announcing team. The two individuals selected will be at the start line for all the events providing invaluable support to our announcing team. They will have all access, this is a high profile position. Duties include; security (ensuring integrity of the announcer area-only accredited individuals on the stage), running after supplies needed, ensuring the announcer have what they need.

Finish Announcer Support

These two people will be supporting the announcer stage and ensuring only accredited people are there, keeping it clear, and running after supplies (electrical, food, etc) as needed.

This is a highly sensitive area that requires mature individuals interested in gaining emergency experience and a front seat to the back end of one of the largest and most operationally complex events in the City of Vancouver. Event and emergency services experience preferred. Individuals will be doing data logs, map plotting of assets, and providing support to dispatchers directly for the length of the event