Anyone ever volunteer for marathon weekend ?

[pyrxtc]

I will be there. I am doing the 5k with my DH and my DH is also doing the Goofy. I know I want to volunteer for the half but I really want to be at the end of the full when my DH crosses it. Are there any volunteer positions that will let me do that for the full ? I figure instead of sitting around waiting, I could be doing something. I want to be able to leave the race with him and go back to the hotel to celebrate his finishing. It is his first ever Goofy race.

Thanks for any ideas. I am waiting for the volunteer registration to open up or am willing to join a group for this since they can sign up earlier.

 

[jmasgat]

I volunteered for the full two years ago at a water stop and was done by 9:30. So depending on your DH's expected finish time, you could manage it. And there are other volunteer opportunities that have earlier/shorter shifts (do you like getting up at 2 or 3 or 4 am?). BUT....this year I signed up to do a shift at the half and I was moved to a different location. Disney reserves the right to do that. So just keep in mind that what you sign up for may not be what they confirm you for. But you can always just bow out if you don't get the assignment you don't like.

As for timing...it will be July/August before the volunteer sign up starts.

Maura

 

[pyrxtc]

thank you. My DH won't be done that early, especially since he will have run the half the day before. This years finish time for the full was just under 4 1/2 hours. Getting up early is not a big deal since we have no park days planned and I'm sure we will be in bed early Saturday night. As long as there is transportation there to where ever I will be volunteering, I am good.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Several of us have volunteered at Red water stop #2 during the full. The shift starts super early, but the good news is that you are done in plenty of time to cheer. You get a very nice race windbreaker and a one-day, one-park pass. I really enjoyed it the year I did it.

 

[Bookwood]

I've volunteered at both the half and the full (depending on what I'm running.) There are alot of places you can volunteer and still see the finish of the full- but if you need to use Disney transportation I suggest "crowd control" (or cheering )at Epcot for the beginning of the race. You can ride the runners bus to the start- check in with volunteers to be official and then walk to the start and back to the finish.

 

[Honeibee]

Kristi and I have headed up the sort of formal WISH volunteering effort for the past few years, and traditionally, as Pat has said, we've been at Red Water Stop #2. We are discussing working another stop, but that all depends...

Anyway, to answer your question, yes there are finish line positions (handing out medals, keeping runners moving along the chute, giving out Mylar blankets, etc) but I have noticed that they are generally filled by the time registration opens. They may be "prime" spots and people with connections get them. I don't know for sure. But you can certainly try!

Kudos to you for volunteering!

 

[dsnyfan21]

I have gotten together a few WISHers to volunteer the last two years for the full. The first year there was 4 of us and we were at #11. This year there was again 4 of us and we were at #7 as #11 was full at sign up most likely a group signed up. These stops require you to meet in the parking lot at the TTC across from the Poly. Had to be there by 4am to sign in and then hop a bus to the location. We had a great leader at #7 and those of us that did this stop are thinking of doing it again!! We were done around 9:20am (just hoping and praying to GOD, it's not as cold so the water isn't freezing) Corrina and I hopped a bus to HS and then stood outside with Mel and others to cheer and hand out twizzlers/pretzels/ etc. !!

Again, be prepared to pretty much be up realy early most mornings!! (I was up earlier the mornings I volunteered than the morning I had my race). I took the runner's bus at 3:20ish and then walked to the Monorail over to the TTC. You can then walk over to poly and then out to Pluto Parking or get back on hotel monorail to Poly and then walk out to Pluto Parking.

Tracy

 

[dsnyfan21]

Kristi and I have headed up the sort of formal WISH volunteering effort for the past few years, and traditionally, as Pat has said, we've been at Red Water Stop #2. We are discussing working another stop, but that all depends...

I spoke with a rep from Disney SPorts at the ING Miami and told her the bad experience you all had at #2. She then told me that that is one of her jobs is heading up all the volunteers and stuff for the races. She had heard that the person who was at #2 was pretty hard to work with and had some complaints. She said that person would not be back there. Just to let you know this information.

Tracy

 

[Honeibee]

I spoke with a rep from Disney SPorts at the ING Miami and told her the bad experience you all had at #2. She then told me that that is one of her jobs is heading up all the volunteers and stuff for the races. She had heard that the person who was at #2 was pretty hard to work with and had some complaints. She said that person would not be back there. Just to let you know this information.

Tracy

Whooo hooo! Thanks Tracy! You've got to give it to Disney. When you complain, they listen! Yay! Thanks for letting us know.

 

[jmasgat]

As long as there is transportation there to where ever I will be volunteering, I am good.

About transportation for volunteers.....you have to provide your own to your designated check-in point. So if you need to report to WWoS or the Pluto Parking lot, you'll need to get yourself there. This year I was stationed in Epcot for the half, but our check-in place was WWoS.

Maura

 

[pyrxtc]

well, I can always take a cab. Wouldn't mind joining a team/group to volunteer either.