Vounteering for IM FL

I volunteered for IMTX this last May, and signed up to compete in IMTX 2016. The experience was great. I did a Bike station in the morning and a run station in the afternoon. The only thing I would have done different is sign up for something that would allow me to watch the swim start. I am not sure what the most popular duties are, but some fill up quick and some are open all the way to the day of the race.

I don't believe the race (or any IM race) sells out as quick anymore, so volunteering isn't necessary to get in. But volunteering will get you motivated!

I wouldn't say that. IMAZ never went to online registration this past year. Sold out on site. IMFL has sold out anywhere from two minutes to two hours the last four years.

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I have heard the same about IMAZ. I am planning to volunteer this year for a run at my first IM in 2016.

good points...thanks for the input

yes, this is what I've heard from other people as well..I was told it didn't make it to online registration last year..

Thanks for all the responses..I have heard it sells out very quickly so I'm pretty sure I will try to volunteer...I wanted to be at the swim start as well..glad to know we may get some input on where we are placed..

I volunteered at IMAZ last year. By the time I signed up, the volunteer opportunities were mostly at run and bike stations. I ended up at Run Aid Station #6 so I got to see runners at mile 6 and mile 19. It was inspiring to see the runners close to the beginning and end of their runs, even some of the obviously suffering people at mile 6 came hobbling by again at mile 19. The other volunteers were a lot of fun so we had a good time talking about triathlon, Ironman and our future triathlon goals. I'm signed up for IMAZ 2015 but if I wasn't, I'd sign up to volunteer again.

I didn't think of that..DOES sound like a good motivating spot to be volunteering!

Raced IMAZ 2013. Volunteered IMAZ 2014. Racing again 2015. I have also volunteered at iMTX a few times.
Volunteering is great and I think people should have to volunteer before signing up.
I know sign up for IMAZ opens up online July 1 so it's possible today was the day IMFL opened. Just keep checking in.
Good luck!

thanks..I'm checking neurotically every day!!

Yes it fills up quickly but spots can be usually found to volunteer. I've volunteered several times and it is a blast, it feel so good to help people, give them words of encouragement. By all means do it, you will get back much more than you give.

Online registration is still open if anyone wants to dive in.

Before becoming a triathlete I was a volunteer captain for IM Coeur d'Alene for six years. All but one was captain of bike or run course marshals. I can tell you that there are many good volunteer duties. Aid stations, course marshals, body marking, transition, finish line to name a few.

I was inspired for many years by athletes overcoming age or adversity to get to Ironman shape and then gutting it out on the course to finish. I just got into tri last year and at age 60 will probably never do a full IM but I am doing my first half IM in June of 2016. Volunteering is a great way to become inspired yourself. I wish I had a dollar for every time an athlete, however exhausted they were when they passed by me on the bike and run course, thanked me for being there. The rewards of volunteering are great.

Edited by HaydenHunter 2015-11-09 7:01 PM