Volunteering is Fun!
One of the critical ingredients in a successful triathlon is volunteers. Volunteers make it possible to conduct a safe, well-organized event. In a triathlon, volunteers are needed in a variety of areas. At the end of the day, you'll feel like you made a valuable contribution to the success of the race. You will also feel appreciated - triathletes are known to be a very appreciative group. It won't be unusual for many participants to thank you for your contribution during the race.

Almost all of our volunteers return the following year. You'll find the atmosphere to be electric. If you volunteer, we urge you to be energetic and enthusiastic, but above all, HAVE FUN!

Volunteer Registration
The various volunteer jobs are listed below - followed by descriptions of each role. If you'd like to help with the Millennium Triathlon, simply fill the form out at the bottom of this page.

Typical Jobs
Swim Course (on shore)
These volunteers will assist with the check-in procedure of triathletes prior to the beginning of the swim. Triathletes are checked into a holding pen prior to the race where we count the number of athletes entering the water. The timing system will then verify the same number of athletes has indeed exited the water. At the end of the swim, we have volunteers who direct the participants in the appropriate direction. Volunteers are asked to also keep spectators out of the way during the race.

Bike Course
Volunteers on the bike course are there to direct the participants to turn the appropriate way at certain intersections. Event organizers mark each turn with brightly colored turn signs and orange spray chalk on the road surfaces. Volunteers are equipped with bright orange vests and orange flags.

IMPORTANT: Volunteers are asked to not wave the orange flags but rather to just hold the orange flag pointed in the direction the participants will be turning. Also, make sure you're in a good location - one that allows the participant to clearly see you as they approach the intersection.

Police will be located at any intersection that requires vehicular traffic to stop and yield to bikers. Volunteers will not be asked to deal with vehicular traffic. This is the job for the police.

Run Course
Volunteers on the run course have the responsibility of directing participants at certain turns. Volunteers will have orange flags. Point the orange flag towards the turn - don't wave it.

Transition Area
The transition area is the fenced in area containing all the bike racks. This area sees action the entire time. Here are the basic responsibilities for transition area volunteers:

Near the event transition area ,volunteers are provided with clipboards that contain a variety of frequently asked questions. Volunteers will be stationed at the two entrances to the transition area. They will be asked to keep spectators out of the transition area. The transition area is for participants only. Participants know this and have been told repeatedly. In addition to the this job, the volunteers will be answering basic questions from participants using these clipboards (Where is registration? Where are the port-a-lets? etc.)

During the event transition area volunteers will become traffic cops - directing participants out the appropriate exits of the transition area. They will continue to keep any wandering spectators out of the transition area.

Timing
We utilizes the state-of-the-art ChampionChip Timing System - the most advanced timing system in the world. With the ChampionChip system, volunteers basically have two jobs.

One job will include making sure that participants pass through the timing chutes (either fencing or pennant line will be used) and also making sure that spectators keep out of the timing chutes. Volunteers will also be asked to make sure that nobody (other than race staff) tampers with the timing mats or boxes. Two volunteers are required at each timing location.

The other job will be at the finish line where a couple of volunteers will be asked to remove a velcro ankle bracelets off of each participant. These ankle bracelets hold the special computer timing chip. Volunteers will remove the timing chip from the ankle bracelet and place in separate containers. The finish line will be set up in such a fashion as to force participants to exit the finish line area through one narrow gate. Volunteers will be stationed at this gate. NO participant will be allowed to leave this area without having the ankle bracelet removed.

Body Marking
Participants have to be marked so that they can be identified as they exit the water following the swim portion of the race. This is done to assist officials during the event, as this is their way of identifying participants. Body marking is also done to assist the official race photographers. Participants are marked with black magic markers. Volunteers write the participant's number CLEARLY and LEGIBLY on both arms and on both upper legs.

Refreshments
These are the folks who assist with serving the beverages and food to participants following the event.

Parking
Volunteers are needed to park all the arriving participants in designated parking areas.

Aid Stations
During the run portion of the event, we have aid stations set up for the participants. Volunteers typically hand participants cups filled with water and/or energy drinks. At selected events (longer events), the aid stations are also stocked with energy gel and other food items. Most of the time, the aid stations only have drinks. It's always a good idea to have one member of the aid station crew assigned to picking up cups during the event. This will save a lot of time when the event is over.

Packet Pick-Up & Registration
Volunteers are always needed to assist our event staff at packet pick-up/registration. Prior to the event, participants must check-in. They receive their official event numbers, packet of information, t-shirts, swim caps, etc. This function takes place for two hours prior to the race.

Volunteer Now !