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United Airlines Rock 'n' Roll

Washington DC

THANK YOU

Thank you to all of the outstanding community groups, teams, schools and generous individuals for volunteering! Throughout race weekend, thousands of participants and volunteers took part in the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Marathon & 1/2 Marathon and we hope you enjoyed your experience! We hope you will join us again next year!

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Race Crew Volunteer Director

Medical Volunteer Coordinator

After you register, you will immediately receive an automated email confirmation. One to Two weeks prior to the event, you will receive confirmation materials via mail with specific instructions about your volunteer shift(s). All volunteers will also receive emailed shift reminders during race week.
Yes! On certain occasions shifts do fill up, which will be noted online. Please encourage friends to sign up online to ensure their spot. This also lets us know how many volunteers will be helping out. We can always use extra help!
Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. Send an email (preferred) to the email address specified on the Volunteer website with your full name, event city, and volunteer shifts you need to cancel. If you do not have access to email, please call 1-800-311-1255.
Once you sign up, we are counting on you to stay for the full shift. We cannot replace you if you leave early. Sometimes the shift may seem over-staffed and slow at the beginning, but often we are preparing for a rush. We count on each volunteer to stay until the end of the shift.
No, sorry. Shift times are pre-determined because it is difficult to arrive or leave in the middle of a shift. It is crucial that volunteers remain for the full length of the shift; we cannot replace you if you leave. Please support your fellow volunteers by staying for your entire assignment. Volunteer with your friend instead!
Confirmation letters are mailed 7-14 days prior to race day. If it is less than a week to the race and you still have not received your volunteer packet, contact the Volunteer Coordinator or come to the Health & Fitness Expo (see website for times and location). The Volunteer Check In booth has extra parking passes for the expo, start and finish lines, if needed.
Meals are provided for the long or 'All Day' shifts. All volunteer shifts will include snacks and bottled water. Bringing snacks, a sack lunch, or a reusable water bottle, is highly recommended.
Wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. Bring layers of comfortable clothing for cool to hot temperatures, for both indoor and outdoor shifts. You will receive a Race Crew T-shirt that identifies you as a part of the Official Rock 'n' Roll Race Crew.
As little as possible! There is no storage for personal items on-site. You will receive a Race Crew drawstring backpack upon checking in, which you can use to store small items. Almost all areas will also have a corner where everyone can set their coat or lunch, but it will not be secure. We highly recommend bringing as few personal items as possible. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
The official minimum age for an unaccompanied child to volunteer is 14 years of age. With supervision, adults may bring slightly younger children. We are concerned about safety and the ability to stay focused on a task for the full shift time. We have many positions that are good for children as long as the ratio of adults-to-children is adequate. The children must be old enough to participate for the entire shift. Please direct any questions on this issue to Volunteer Coordinator.
Sorry, for most markets volunteers will not receive discounts on race entry fees.
The Registration / Participant Check In area at the Health & Fitness Expo provides seated positions. There are very limited seated positions at the start and finish lines; please plan accordingly and alert the Volunteer Coordinator ahead of time if you have any special needs. We will do our best to accommodate you!

RACE CREW VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS

How are positions assigned?
 All positions are assigned in-person at Volunteer Check In when your shift begins. We do this to remain as flexible as possible. This helps ensure that our participants have a great experience. If you do have a position preference, please let us know when you check-in for your shift.

What positions are available?
 Below is a description of every position available at each of the volunteer shifts. Please note that not all positions and shifts listed below will be available in every city. For a complete listing of available shifts, please refer to the website or to the online registration system.

HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO:

Setup (Wednesday or Thursday only – varies by event)
A behind-the-scenes look at the Expo before it is set up! Race Crew Volunteers are needed to help setup the participant T-shirt area and sometimes the Participant Check In area.

Participant Check In / Registration
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to issue registered participants their race numbers and packets of important information. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 20-30 (VARIES BY EVENT).

T-shirts & Swag Bags
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to distribute race participant T-shirts and swag bags. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 10-15.

Souvenir Store
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to stock souvenirs and clothing, as well as assist participants within the store. Race Crew volunteers will not be asked to work with a register or handle cash.

Greeters
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to greet excited participants as they enter the Expo and answer FAQs.

START LINE:

Start Corrals
Each corral is numbered and corresponds with the participant’s number (based on estimated finishing time). Race Crew Volunteers are needed to direct participants to the correct corral and to see them off! GREAT FOR LARGE GROUPS OF 20-50 (VARIES BY EVENT).

Gear Check
Each participant is issued a gear bag to be used for any personal items. Race Crew Volunteers are needed to assist participants with checking their gear bags and placing them in the correct numerical order. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 20-50 (VARIES BY EVENT).

Refreshments Tents
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to set up and distribute water, Gatorade, fruit, and other refreshments to participants before the start of the race.

Informational/Directional
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to point participants in the right direction on race morning. The Start Line venue can be overwhelming, so we need outgoing, vocal volunteers.

Shuttle Drop-off
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to help participants de-board the shuttles from various drop-off locations and direct them to the Start Line.

Runner Drop-off
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to play air traffic controller for the day! Volunteers with strong voices will direct participants and cars in the Runner Drop-off zone on race morning.

VIP Gear Check
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to setup and collect VIP gear bags from participants and place them numerically.

Medical Tents
Volunteers are needed to staff medical tents and assist runners with minor injuries in the Start Line area. *Please note that Medical volunteer registration is separate from Race Crew Volunteer registration.

FINISH LINE:

Gear Return
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to facilitate the organization of gear check bags, and return gear bags to each participant. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 20-50 (VARIES BY EVENT).

Secure Zone Refreshments
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to distribute water, Gatorade, fruit, PowerBar, Chocolate Milk, and other food items after participants cross the Finish Line. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 25-50.

Medals
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to facilitate the organization of gear check bags, and return gear bags to each VIP participant.

Shuttle Pick Up
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to assist participants boarding the shuttles pre and post-race.

Timing
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to keep time on hand-held stopwatches to ensure the accuracy of the official participant race times.

Medical Tent
Volunteers are needed to staff medical tents and assist runners with minor injuries in the Finish Line area. *Please note that Medical volunteer registration is separate from Race Crew volunteer registration.

ON COURSE:

Water Stations
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to hand out water, Gatorade and Gu along the course. Groups may also brand/theme their stations (with approval from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series). Please direct any questions to the Volunteer Coordinator. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 20-50.

Relay Transition Zone
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to help setup the on-course relay transition zone, as well as direct participants. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 10-20.

Split Point
Race Crew Volunteers are needed to direct participants at any point at which courses diverge. The goal of this group is to ensure that all participants stay on the correct course. GREAT FOR GROUPS OF 5-10.

It is Your Right to:

  •  To receive the orientation, training and supervision necessary to do the task.
  • To feel that your efforts have real purpose and contribute to the organization’s mission.
  • To receive feedback and evaluation on the work that you perform.
  • To provide input on ways your tasks might be better performed.
  • To be treated with respect and as an equal partner within the organization.
  • To be trusted with confidential information necessary to carry out your assignment.
  • To expect that your time will not be wasted by poor planning or coordination of the event organizers.
  • To be covered by event general liability insurance while volunteering during the event.
  • To be sent confirmation materials via mail and/or email with instructions and details for the shift(s) you selected.

It Is Your Responsibility:

  • Not to take on more responsibility than you can handle.
  • To meet time commitments or to provide appropriate notice so alternate arrangements can be made.
  • To perform the tasks assigned to you to the best of your ability.
  • To remain flexible when being assigned your task(s).
  • To follow organizational policies and procedures.
  • To respect those confidences entrusted to you.
  • To be open-minded and respectful towards opinions shared with you.
  • To notify the organization in advance of absences or schedule changes that may affect them.
  • To read all confirmation materials sent to you prior to your volunteer shift.

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