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1. Don’t get mad at a volunteer prior to the race start because he can’t answer every question you ask him regardless of how obscure they are.  Remember, these people are volunteers.  They know to be at the wetsuit-stripping station from 7:00 to 7:30 or the mile 5 aid station from 9:00-11:00.  They don’t have any idea when the catering company is showing up for the post race party or where you can find a size XL race t-shirt. 

1. Don’t look down on volunteers because you’re racing and they’re not.  Many volunteers are triathletes too, like I mentioned before.  Believe me when I say that I’ve taken water on run courses from people who on other days have beaten me soundly on the results page. 

1. Don’t scream at volunteers during a race demanding directions on where to go.  Reference point #1.  In addition, it’s every competitor’s responsibility to know the course before the race starts.  Most races have multiple educational opportunities prior to the event to include maps in race packets and on web sites and pre-race athlete meetings to point out the fine points of the course.  If you don’t know the course, it’s your own fault.

4.  For crying out loud, DO use the trash cans when they’re available.  Last year,

I volunteered at an aid station on the run course at Ironman Arizona.  At first, the

pros trickled by one by one every few minutes and it was pretty calm.  Since they were running faster than my 5k pace, and since there were so few of them, I completely understood when one would grab a cup of sports drink, toss it in the general direction of their mouth and then toss the empty cup on the ground.  They are trying to win the race after all.  Things got much busier when the age groupers started showing up.  There were drinks, ice cubes, banana peels, sponges, cookies, chicken broth, Gel wrappers, chopped up fruit and all manner of other food and drinks EVERYWHERE, especially since the run course is a multi-loop affair and all 1900 or so athletes passed through three times.  Somebody has to pick this stuff up.  If you’re a fast Age Grouper and going out of your way to put something in a trash can will cost you precious time, then by all means, throw your trash on the ground near the aid station, and I, as a volunteer, am more than happy to pick it up.  If you’re walking (slowly) through the aid station en route to finishing the race (versus winning it), do NOT stop in front of a volunteer, take a full cup of orange Gatorade from him, take one drink of it while standing facing him and then throw the half-full cup on the ground at the volunteer’s feet thus drenching his white running shoes with orange goop.  Yes, this happened to me. 

5.  Speaking of Ironman aid stations, NEVER, EVER drink the water out of the sponges you get at the aid stations at Ironman events.  Ask me why when you see me. 

6.  Don’t be shy with a “thank you”.  Lastly, always try to throw out a thank you to the various volunteers and policemen who are helping out with a race.  It’s just good karma. 

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