the hound The Well-Equipped ATC Volunteer: A Guide BY MICH E LLE BOURG L eaf through any running magazine (includ- ing this one) and you'll find dozens of ads, and at least one review, for various items of equipment, all designed to make runners faster, stronger, warmer, cooler or just more impres- sive-looking while doing their thing. For an "equip- ment free " sport, running can involve a lot of equipment. However, not much has been said about gear for those intrepid supporters of the run- ner's game: the volunteers. The following guide may be helpful to those alongside the course in becoming as well equipped as those running it. The foundation of the well- equipped volunteer is the same as it is for a runner: co mfortable \ 1 shoes. While features like air or computerized cushioning aren't necessary, a water station for the Women's SKora three-hour shift at the Expo will feel like an ultra- marathon without good, supportive shoes. It can be downright dangerous, too: the medical crew at a recent track meet reported only one injury, incurred when a volunteer twisted an ankle slipping off of a pair of platform shoes. Remember, "They also serve who only stand and wait. " This is easiest in com- fortable shoes. The second most important item of equipment is a reliable alarm clock. An 8 a.m. start time requires volunteers to be on hand somewhat earlier, at a time known in the business as "o'dark-thirty." If you can- not find an alarm clock with an "o'dark-thirty" set- ting, a standard one will do , but be sure that it has a snooze button and battery backup in the event of power outages caused by high winds, especially before the Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon. The clothing guidelines used by runners also apply to volunteers. Spring and fall events are usu- ally comfortable at race time but chilly beforehand, so it's good to wear light layers that can be removed as it warms up . In winter, layers are a lifesaver. Two or three are usually enough, but for Track Day , seven or eight may be necessary A complete change of shirts may be needed to stay cool during summer races, (for the Masters and Open meet, at least three). Sunglasses and/or a cap protect the eyes and prevent squinting- you never know when your picture will be taken for Wingfoot . Don't forget sun- screen and insect repellent; you'll want to get a warehouse member.ship so you can buy these in bulk The Track Club provides most miscellaneous items, such as duct tape, bullhorns, stopwatches, reflective vests and maps of the course. Whatever your assigned job, course maps can be instrumental in performing it. You'll find that even if you're 20 feet up on a ladder cont . on page 39 Illustration by Michael W/NGFOOT March 2005 5
Transcript
the hound
The Well-Equipped ATC Volunteer: A Guide
BY MICH E LLE BOURG
L eaf through any running magazine (including this one) and you'll find dozens of ads, and at least one review, for various items of equipment, all designed to make runners
faster, stronger, warmer, cooler or just more impressive-looking while doing their thing. For an "equipment free" sport, running can involve a lot of equipment.
However, not much has been said about gear for those intrepid supporters of the runner's game: the volunteers. The following
guide may be helpful to those alongside the course in becoming as well
equipped as those running it. The foundation of the well
equipped volunteer is the same as it is for a runner:
co mfortable \ 1 shoes. While
features like air or computerized cushioning aren't necessary, a water station for the Women's SKora three-hour shift at the Expo will feel like an ultramarathon without good, supportive shoes. It can be downright dangerous , too: the medical crew at a recent track meet reported only one injury, incurred when a volunteer twisted an ankle slipping off of a pair of platform shoes. Remember, "They also serve who only stand and wait. " This is easiest in comfortable shoes.
The second most important item of equipment is a reliable alarm clock. An 8 a.m. start time requires volunteers to be on hand somewhat earlier, at a time known in the business as "o'dark-thirty." If you cannot find an alarm clock with an "o'dark-thirty" setting, a standard one will do , but be sure that it has a snooze button and battery backup in the event of power outages caused by high winds, especially before the Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon.
The clothing guidelines used by runners also apply to volunteers. Spring and fall events are usually comfortable at race time but chilly beforehand, so it's good to wear light layers that can be removed as it warms up. In winter, layers are a lifesaver. Two or three are usually enough, but for Track Day,
seven or eight may be necessary A complete change of shirts may be needed to stay cool during summer races, (for the Masters and Open meet, at least three). Sunglasses and/or a cap protect the eyes and prevent squinting- you never know when your picture will be taken for Wingfoot . Don't forget sunscreen and insect repellent; you'll want to get a
warehouse member.ship so you can buy these in bulk
The Track Club provides most miscellaneous items, such as duct tape, bullhorns, stopwatches, reflective vests and maps of the course. Whatever your assigned job, course maps can be instrumental in performing it. You'll find that even if you're 20 feet up on a ladder cont. on page 39
J,~~:::-----~---......-
Illustration by Michael Hu~hes
W/NGFOOT March 2005 5
WOMEN'S TEAM I SHE ILA MCINTOSH
The holidays didn't stop the _-\TC "-omen's team from racing! At the Kiawah Island Marathon, Eileen Torres was the second woman in
3:06:27, and new team member Laurie Knowles was third in 3:09 on a blustery day. Kiawah is a beautiful place to visit and run, but can experience brutal coastal winds , and this rear's race was one of those times. In the half marathon, Katie S\\int placed third in 1:23:01.
joyce Hodges Hite ran the USATF Cross-country National Championship in Portland, Oregon and finished forth in her age group. It should be noted that the week before, she ran her 99th marathon here in Atlanta. Her 1 OOth will be at Tybee in February. She finished first in her age group at the Run to See the Candy in Eastman, Ga., where she was accompanied by her son and granddaughters.
Patty Foell was the first woman in 19:52 at the Virginia- Highland Christmas
Grand Prix Update
bundant resolutions this past january 1st brought a great turnout of ATC members for
ur Resolution Run SK and 10K at Technology Park in Norcross. Or perhaps it was the unseasonably warm temperatures that seduced runners ,
You may look up your most recent Grand Prix points
enticing them to enjoy a
Run. jill Spiegel was the first masters woman at the Go Red for Women SKin •••••••• and standing on the recently redesigned
ATC website: atlantatrackclub.org
perfect day to begin the New Year. The Grand Prix list of standings became so extensive (a good thing), that there are insufficient pages (a bad thing) available in the March Wingfoot to print
20:20. Susan Lance ran the First Light Marathon in Mobile on Jan. 2 in Mobile ,
Ala. , in 3:54 and followed that with a SOK in 6:45. The january/February race season results will appear in the next issue. e
MASTERS TRACK & FIELD TEAM
JIM HITE
The ATC Masters Track and Field team held its 2005 season planning meeting jan. 9 at the ATC office. After a review and explanation of team policies, the team compiled a list of Masters indoor and outdoor competition. Highlighted meets include the USATF Georgia Association Masters championship at Savannah State on April 15-16, which will also be the USATF Southeast Region championship; the ATC meet on june 11; the Georgia Games, july 17; the World Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on july 27; and the USATF ational Masters championship in Hawaii, Aug. 4-7. Members also will be running and throwing in the Tuesday evening ATC all-comers meets which begin in May. e
all the names. Luckily technology comes to the rescue. You may
look up your most recent Grand Prix points and standing on the recently redesigned ATC website: atlantatrackclub.org. Watch for the regular Grand Prix Update in next month's Wingfoot. See you at the races! e
cont. from page 5, Well-Equipped
assembling the finish line scaffolding, at least one onlooker will come up asking to see a map. Usually they don't know anyone in the race, they just like to look at course maps. Having one handy allows you to continue doing your job while they happily peruse it before wandering off.
The signature item for an ATC crewmember is the very exclusive volunteer shirt. (The volunteer shirt for Peachtree is actually more rare than the famed runners' version; it 's also at least as much of a challenge to earn). Usually a T-shirt with a seasonal design, the volunteer apparel item is on occasion a bit more substantial, such as the fleece pullovers or the famous yellow raincoats from a former Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon. After just a few races, volunteers find themselves with a substantial collection of these items, and a peek into their closets will reveal that up to 75 percent of their wardrobe is emblazoned with the ATC phoenix logo.
So yes, volunteers need their gear, too . But as a volunteer, always remember that your most important tools are the ability to be flexible and a sense of humor. No matter what comes up during a race, whether it's the Peachtree or the kids' 50-meter dash at All-Comers , these are the things that will ultimately get you through and keep everything what it's meant to be: fun. e
