Volunteering Guidelines 1. Intl. Bielefeld Marathon am 10.10.2010

Volunteering Guidelines

Thanks for your interest in volunteering at the 1st International Bielefeld Marathon. From now on, every fall we will rely on the hard work of close to 250 volunteers, like you, to assist us in nearly every department of the marathon and or half marathon.

A full description of each volunteer job is posted on the navigation bars downwards. Each description will (from the year 2010 on) include the check-in time, location, team captain and estimated duration of the job.

Whether being in an official volunteer position or along the course cheering on the runners, we look forward to having you with us to support the 2,500+ runners on their journey through Bielefeld, North-Rhine Westphalia. Thank you for your support.

INTERNATIONAL BIELEFELD MARATHON VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old.
Volunteers must carry a photo ID with them at all times during their assignment and must be prepared to show this to BIELEFELD MARATHON assigned safety and security personnel upon request.
Volunteers must wear their 2010 INTERNATIONAL BIELEFELD MARATHON Volunteer jacket and credential (if provided).
If at any time during your assignment you have a problem, notify your team captain immediately, who in turn will inform the proper authorities.
Dress casually and for the weather! Wear comfortable shoes.
Do not bring cameras or other valuables with you to your assignment.
The INTERNATIONAL BIELEFELD MARATHON is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Do not bring pets, children, friends or anyone else with you as we cannot be responsible for them, they will interfere with you carrying out your responsibilities, and they will be prohibited from entering secured areas. Because of tight security measures this requirement will be strictly enforced.
Volunteers are required to obey the No Smoking and No Alcohol policy for the duration of their assignment.
Be prepared for a long day. Morning coffee, light breakfast as well as a light lunch will be provided for volunteers checking in at Kesselbrink / Start & Finish. Volunteers working along the race course should bring a lunch.
Medical personnel will be stationed along the route and at the Expo Ground area. For easy identification, medical volunteers will be wearing identical jackets.
Medical volunteers must wear gloves when providing treatment. Vinyl gloves will be available to all medical volunteers.
Volunteers working food and fluid distribution at the Start, along the Course and at the Finish will be provided with non-latex, plastic cafeteria-style food handling gloves that must be worn at all times.
As an official volunteer, be prepared to answer many types of questions. Prior to the event, study the maps and familiarize yourself with the locations of the nearest water stop, first aid station, timing clock, etc.
Runners are timed with a ChampionChip® - a computer timing device tied to their shoe. If you collect one or more of these chips at a fluid or Red Cross station, on a medical bus, or anywhere else if a runner decides to drop out of the race, please return it to your team captain, who will return it to the Timing Operator

Catering

Hydration Stations on the course / VP / EP

Volunteers are responsible for arriving at their assigned station on time and assisting the team captains with setting up the stations. At the end of the day, volunteers are responsible for breaking down the station and cleaning up in and around the area. To ensure cleanliness, vinyl gloves will be distributed at every Hydration Station. All volunteers assigned to Hydration Stations must wear gloves at all times.

or

Water volunteers will be assigned to one of the two Hydration Stations and will be responsible for setting up the area, filling and stacking cups, handing cups to runners and spectators, and making sure that the area remains clear of trash. After the start of the race, you will help break down the station. All volunteers working food and Hydration Stations will be provided vinyl gloves that must be worn at all times.

Information Desk / Information Center

During race weekend, an information kiosk / desk will be located in the number pick-up area at the Sports & Fitness Expo. Information will be provided, including maps of the start and finish area, athlete transportation, and details on the Bielefeld Marathon schedule of events.

Pre-Face Volunteering

Logistics

Directions and Transportation

Parking Services / P&R Directors

Parking volunteers help direct incoming cars to designated spaces, as well as coordinating traffic flow in highly congested areas. You will be assigned to one of two locations: University of Bielefeld or along the 4.37 mile marathon rounds.

Course Volunteering

Course and Finish Volunteering

Start Security

Security volunteers are responsible for monitoring the corral system and the elite athlete area, making sure that spectators and unregistered runners do not enter the system.

Award ceremony

Award ceremony volunteers will assist the ceremonial team in handing out medals and trophies.

Timing

You will assist the Mika Timing operators.

Radio & TV Operator Volunteers

Signage Team

VIP-Security

VIP security volunteers are responsible for ensuring that only those with proper credentials are allowed access into the designated VIP area.

Physical Therapists - Medical Tent

PT and PT students only.

Exhibition / Trade fair & Fringe Events / Expo & Number Pick-Up

Setup staff

The setup staff is responsible for the expo preparations and works only on October 7th and 8th, as well as in the mid-day to afternoon session on October 10th.

Technical Staff

The Technical Staff Personnel will assist the setup staff.

Merchandise-Desk

Volunteers will staff a booth at the Expo to help set up and sell official International Bielefeld Marathon merchandise to the hundreds and thousands of athletes and the public in attendance. Volunteers should be prepared for a busy day.

(Post)-Registration Terminal

Non official runners yet are able to pick up their race numbers there on Saturday and Sunday, October 9th – 10th. Admission to the Expo is free and open to the public. Volunteer assignments include race number, T-shirt and packet distribution, and assisting athletes.

Number Pick-Up (German / English / French)

Volunteers in this section have to be fluent in German as well as English and /or French.

Pasta-Party

The Bielefeld Marathon Pre-Race Dinner, should be held at a local discotheque on Saturday, October 9th, will serve dinner and provide entertainment for the hundreds and thousands of athletes completing their preparations for the International Bielefeld Marathon. Volunteer duties include ushering and directing athletes and their guests, setting tables, serving food and beverages, greeting guests, and collecting tickets. You will be given a specific assignment upon arrival.

Trouble Desk

Closing-Return

This team helps the athletes retrieve their baggage at the baggage point corresponding with their bib number.

Schools-Run

Volunteers assisting the Schools-Run will help to supervise and guide the pupils to start and from finish to the award ceremony.

Post-Race Party

Medals / Chip-Recovery

Athletes will be timed by means of a computer chip tied onto their shoelace. Those, who won’t keep their chip, can return them until 5:30 p.m. and will be refunded with 25 EUROs.