Course Crew – responsible for marking the course and monitoring course conditions

Start/Finish – responsible for set up and management of Start/Finish area.

From Rachel, Start/Finish Coordinator: Hey future volunteers!!  My name is Rachel and I have been volunteering with TRR for many, many years.  I’ll give you a brief rundown of what a day looks like for a start/finish volunteer.  

First, clothing.  A good pair of gloves, or two, is essential.  Keep in mind you will be working with your hands a lot, tying and cutting zip ties, hanging banners, and carrying cold and sometimes wet metal fencing.  I like the thinner gloves that have a bit of rubber around the fingers for these jobs.  Next is a good sturdy pair of shoes that will protect your feet.  Most of us dress in layers for the cold, early, and sometimes rainy mornings but by the afternoon it’s tee shirts, shorts, and sun!! 

Our days begin early so that we can have the start line looking glorious for all the runners.  Some mornings all we have to do is adjust a few banners, other mornings, in Leadville for example, we are setting up the entire start on Main Street.  Then, once we’ve cheered the runners through, we will break it all down, move it to the finish, and set it up once again.  Some days it stays where it is which gives us a few hours to explore the beautiful mountains we are in.  All start-finish volunteers should be able to lift and carry heavy metal fencing.  

Lastly and most importantly is a positive attitude.  Our job and all jobs at the TRR revolve around teamwork.  We all help one another out in whatever way we can.  Sometimes that means emptying trash cans for Tyler in Chillville, filling up water jugs, or simply making sure everyone is eating enough and getting breaks.  

Wherever you choose to volunteer, I promise you, it will be a week you won’t forget and you’ll make friends that will last a lifetime.  

Shuttles – responsible for athlete transport via 15 passenger vans. Must possess valid driver’s license

The main job for shuttle drivers is to transport runners to and from the start/finish line, back to camp/hotels, handle pickup and drop off from the airport. The team of 5-6 handle daily supply runs and anything that may be needed by camp staff, volunteers and runners. The team, when not driving, assists in camp with set up and break down of camp, loading trucks and whatever needs to be done. When in towns, we manage runner traffic to minimize our footprint to the towns. The lead driver handles all funds for the drivers. Each driver is tasked with managing their daily cash and provide receipts to the lead driver. Daily shifts are from 12-16 hours. Clean and return vans to airport.

Requirements for shuttle drivers:

1. 5-6 drivers, 25 and older

2. Pickup and drop off at airport

3. Transport to and from start/finish line

4. Transport to camp or hotel (pkg only)

5. Supply and errands for staff and volunteers

6. Assist in all areas when not driving

7. Manage daily cash for gas and supplies

8. Assist in towns with runner traffic

9. Clean van daily

10. 12-16 hour daily work hours

11. Assist runners to the best of our ability

Check Points – responsible for manning aid stations and monitoring runners

Finish Line Catering – responsible for set up, management and tear down of post-run refreshment station

Camp Crew – responsible for daily set up and tear down of runner tents and camp in each location.

From Kelli, Camp Crew Coordinator: Welcome to Camp Crew (Best Crew)! 1) expect to be treated like family… the family you look forward to seeing at holiday gatherings! 2) Be flexible and friendly. The rest will take care of itself.

Arrive on Saturday before 7:00pm to the Meadows : Base Camp in Buena Vista. Check-in at the Volunteer Check-in area in ChillVille, head over to the Camp Crew tent. Say Hi, get settled into your tent lodging before the Pizza Party, Volunteer meeting, and an intimate gathering of the Camp Crew: meet & greet, learn more about your job and your team… that’s it!

We have work to do on Sunday, preparing the rest of the tents for the runners, and welcoming everyone to the best week of their year! Come clothed to thrive in the weather we’re given, and to work up a sweat with your new family.

Monday we rise early to be the best concierge service you can find – water, toilet paper, bandaids, we got it! Most of this day is flexible since we won’t move camp. Shuttle into town, watch the start, eat good food, explore BV, etc. Expect some more tips and tricks from the Camp Crew leaders for tomorrow.

Tuesday we work HARD! 1) concierge service – set runners up for success, 2) take down all the tents, 3) load tents and equipment, travel to Leadville, 4) set up all the tents, 5) CHILL, 6) welcome home all the runners.

Wednesday we work HARD! You got it – a repeat of Tuesday, travel to Nova Guides. Expect to be out of cell service for the next 2 days and surrounded by incredible beauty. 

Thursday is volunteers-can-run day! We’ll still maintain a tight ship, serving runners in the morning and evening, but aside from a couple folks, everyone is free to run the course and/or go to Mango’s, etc. Recharge your batteries day.

Friday we work HARD! (common theme, huh?) Repeat the usual take-down and set-up routine, travel to Vail. This is a long, exposed day, late in the week, so come loaded with patience and good hydration.

Saturday is the last BIG push! 1) encourage the heck out of those runners, 2) attempt to allow tents to dry, 3) take down all the tents, 4) PACK the tents for long-term storage, load equipment, travel to Beaver Creek, 5) CHILL, get set-up in your non-tent lodging, explore Beaver Creek and clean up for the Banquet… the hard work is done!

Your meals, beverages, and tent are provided; just don’t wear flip-flops!

Luggage Crew – responsible for daily movement of athlete and camp luggage. Must be able to lift 25 pounds comfortably

Luggage Crew is your crew if you are; strong, hard-working, enthusiastic, embrace the pain cave with a sense of humor, and like to get your daily workout in while volunteering.   As a TRR Luggage Volunteer you'll be part of a small, but mighty, team of 5-6 people responsible for the daily movement of participant and crew luggage.  This equates to physically moving the weight of 7 African Elephants, twice daily.   (approximately 400-500 bags, twice)

Here's the Skinny:  Participants are issued a large DUFFLE BAG at registration.  Everything they'll need for the week must fit inside this duffle for daily transport. The daily loading, transporting, unloading, and organizing of these DUFFLE BAGS are the main components of the "luggage department" throughout the week.  Both participants and crew have some anxiety about this, after all, it's everyone's "stuff".  So, it's critical we get it right - Every. Single. Day.  Another critical component to our mission is making sure the TRAVEL LUGGAGE that participants arrive with, is reunited with them at the end of their race (3 or 6 days later). Again, several hundred bags, about a plane load.  Not to worry, we have a system and every luggage crew member is critical to our success.  NO SLACKERS ~ Canadians okay ;-) 

Luggage operations happen daily**.  Loading is fast and furious in the mornings from 5:30 ~ 7:30ish while grabbing breakfast.  Bit of a break follows as we transport to the next camp in two 5-ton trucks and chow a brown bag lunch provided.  Next, we methodically unload and organize duffels by "Race Bib Numbers", so participants can locate their bag upon completion of the day's stage.  This takes a few hours.  The balance of each day (until last runner) is spent chillin by the gear to help participants locate their bag, while ensuring nothing walks off by mistake.  You'll be on your feet a lot each day and your Strava will be impressive.  Our days are typically finished in time to get a shower and enjoy dinner, before a mandatory crew meeting every night around 7:30 pm. After that your day is done.  Enjoy Chillville with runners and crew, or collapse into your tent, either way - we do it all again the next morning.

**GOOD NEWS: We DO NOT move luggage on Stage 4!  Volunteers have the opportunity to register and run this stage if they like, go for a hike, or just enjoy some down time before the final two stages.  That said, since we do get a proverbial "day off" midweek, we ask everyone to pitch in with other departments that do not.  You'll have options, there's always something that needs doing around camp.

On the luggage crew you'll interact with participants when they may be elated, freaking out, bleeding, in a fog, or experiencing a "runner's high" - ya never know with trail runners.  We're there to encourage them, take away any anxiety about luggage, answer questions, solve problems, etc. - ensuring participants have a great experience.  So it's kinda like customer service with heavy lifting.  You get the idea - Thank Houda!

Be prepared for an ever-changing dry mountain climate, that will likely include hot days, freezing temps, rain, wind, sleet or hail.  Help yourself by showing up with your favorite pair of work gloves and comfortable supportive footwear.  Bring earplugs, lip balm, sunscreen, and be ready for a daily workout.  Pace yourself on this crew, the effects are cumulative.   After six days, you'll be "bonding" with the athletes, experiencing similar aches and pains.  (Every volunteer spot at TRR offers this benefit)  You're Welcome!

As one of the smaller teams at TRR, luggage crew spots fill quickly.  Secure your spot and you'll come away with an experience of a lifetime that you'll be sharing with your grandkids. 

Timing Assistant – responsible for assisting with all operations regarding timing and results.

Help set up and breakdown of timing loops and timing table at start and finish of each leg.

Responsible for recording the time and bib numbers of runners coming in on the paper timing sheet as a back up to the digital system.

Manning the radio to record.

DNFS.

Assisting the timer in confirming runners on course.

Each morning on days 2-6: Collecting list of runners in, Dawn Patrol, assisting the race announcer and timer as needed.