volunteer job descriptions
We have a variety of volunteer tasks to choose from and hopefully something to fit every schedule and interest. After signing up to help out at a race, our volunteer coordinator will send a very detailed confirmation email about 10-14 days before the race that will contain driving directions, details about each shift, where to check in, and any other pertinent info you might need.
Most shifts take place outside so be sure to pack accordingly for the weather. Aid station and course marshal volunteers should pack a lunch and water as they are stationed out on the course.
All volunteers get to eat and drink for free at the finish area (which includes handmade wood-fired pizza, lots of snacks, free craft beer, cider non-alcoholic beer and a variety of other drinks) and there are lots of great volunteer perks! Volunteering is a great way to give back, especially if you are also a runner. We highly encourage everyone to volunteer at any trail race as much as they run! Race experiences would be a whole lot different without the amazing volunteers.
Volunteer discount codes will be emailed out to each volunteer the week after the race is completed.
Most shifts take place outside so be sure to pack accordingly for the weather. Aid station and course marshal volunteers should pack a lunch and water as they are stationed out on the course.
All volunteers get to eat and drink for free at the finish area (which includes handmade wood-fired pizza, lots of snacks, free craft beer, cider non-alcoholic beer and a variety of other drinks) and there are lots of great volunteer perks! Volunteering is a great way to give back, especially if you are also a runner. We highly encourage everyone to volunteer at any trail race as much as they run! Race experiences would be a whole lot different without the amazing volunteers.
Volunteer discount codes will be emailed out to each volunteer the week after the race is completed.
morning shifts
Parking
Taking place the 2 hours before the race, parking volunteers will help all runners/volunteers park in the designated areas and direct them to check in. After checking in at the volunteer table, all parking volunteers will be shown the parking plan by a staff member. Parking volunteers will be done shortly after the race starts, giving them all day to cheer on their runner or go for a run/hike in the area! Free coffee and muffins are provided.
Taking place the 2 hours before the race, parking volunteers will help all runners/volunteers park in the designated areas and direct them to check in. After checking in at the volunteer table, all parking volunteers will be shown the parking plan by a staff member. Parking volunteers will be done shortly after the race starts, giving them all day to cheer on their runner or go for a run/hike in the area! Free coffee and muffins are provided.
Runner Check In
This shift also takes place 2 hours leading up to the start of the race. This shift involves checking ID's and handing out bib numbers, giving out pre-ordered merchandise to the runners, helping check in the kids race/course marshal for the kids race (certain days only), and/or assisting runners with drop bags. This shift is busy, but fun, as you get to meet all the runners beforehand! Free coffee and muffins are provided in the morning.
This shift also takes place 2 hours leading up to the start of the race. This shift involves checking ID's and handing out bib numbers, giving out pre-ordered merchandise to the runners, helping check in the kids race/course marshal for the kids race (certain days only), and/or assisting runners with drop bags. This shift is busy, but fun, as you get to meet all the runners beforehand! Free coffee and muffins are provided in the morning.
Set Up
The set up job generally takes place for about 2ish hours in the morning, after the runners start the race but before anyone finishes. This task involves helping us prep the post race food table, assemble the merchandise table, put up tents and finish line flagging, arrange prizes at the timing table, put drinks in coolers with ice, etc. Basically you are helping us turn the finish area into a party!
The set up job generally takes place for about 2ish hours in the morning, after the runners start the race but before anyone finishes. This task involves helping us prep the post race food table, assemble the merchandise table, put up tents and finish line flagging, arrange prizes at the timing table, put drinks in coolers with ice, etc. Basically you are helping us turn the finish area into a party!
during the race
Aid Station
A volunteer favorite, working an aid station is one of the most fun and rewarding of the shifts available. It involves heading out on the course to a designated location and assisting all the runners as they come through. You might be helping to fill water bottles and bladders, tracking the runners on the iPad as they arrive, restocking the food table (making PB&J, cutting fruit, refilling candy and pickle dishes, etc), helping runners find their drop bags, and helping crews manage the area. These shifts can be very busy so we encourage those who thrive on fast paced environments as well as enthusiastic volunteers who can bring up the spirits of our runners! The shift time varies by aid station location, some are just a few hours, others last all day.
A volunteer favorite, working an aid station is one of the most fun and rewarding of the shifts available. It involves heading out on the course to a designated location and assisting all the runners as they come through. You might be helping to fill water bottles and bladders, tracking the runners on the iPad as they arrive, restocking the food table (making PB&J, cutting fruit, refilling candy and pickle dishes, etc), helping runners find their drop bags, and helping crews manage the area. These shifts can be very busy so we encourage those who thrive on fast paced environments as well as enthusiastic volunteers who can bring up the spirits of our runners! The shift time varies by aid station location, some are just a few hours, others last all day.
Sweep
The sweep is a volunteer who will be running the course (usually 10-20 miles, depending on the race), staying behind the last runner and generally taking down the course markings. Because they are behind the last runner, the pace is usually slower. However, our sweeps are often the first point of contact if there is an injured or distressed runner and should have the ability to run quickly to the next aid station to alert staff that someone needs help. Sometimes the sweeps get far behind the last runner and should also have the ability to maintain a faster pace to catch up, so for this reason we ask that sweeps be seasoned runners without any major health concerns. As sweeps will be carrying signs, stakes, and ribbon, you must be physically strong enough to run with a full load of supplies.
Because we want the sweep to have fresh legs, we generally do not allow sweepers to run their own race the day before then sweep after (run the 50K then sweep the 25K) or do multiple sweep shifts in one weekend without prior approval from our volunteer coordinator.
The sweep is a volunteer who will be running the course (usually 10-20 miles, depending on the race), staying behind the last runner and generally taking down the course markings. Because they are behind the last runner, the pace is usually slower. However, our sweeps are often the first point of contact if there is an injured or distressed runner and should have the ability to run quickly to the next aid station to alert staff that someone needs help. Sometimes the sweeps get far behind the last runner and should also have the ability to maintain a faster pace to catch up, so for this reason we ask that sweeps be seasoned runners without any major health concerns. As sweeps will be carrying signs, stakes, and ribbon, you must be physically strong enough to run with a full load of supplies.
Because we want the sweep to have fresh legs, we generally do not allow sweepers to run their own race the day before then sweep after (run the 50K then sweep the 25K) or do multiple sweep shifts in one weekend without prior approval from our volunteer coordinator.
Course Marshal
The course marshal shifts take place out on the course, either at a busy junction, sharp turn, or near a road, to look out for the safety of our runners and make sure they go the right way on the trail. Most of the course marshal shifts take place someplace pretty cool (in the forest, on the beach, on top of the Deception Pass bridge, etc) and this volunteer gets the chance to see each runner and cheer them on as they come through their spot. Detailed directions will be given to each course marshal and unless it is very straightforward, the spot will be shown to them by a staff member.
The course marshal shifts take place out on the course, either at a busy junction, sharp turn, or near a road, to look out for the safety of our runners and make sure they go the right way on the trail. Most of the course marshal shifts take place someplace pretty cool (in the forest, on the beach, on top of the Deception Pass bridge, etc) and this volunteer gets the chance to see each runner and cheer them on as they come through their spot. Detailed directions will be given to each course marshal and unless it is very straightforward, the spot will be shown to them by a staff member.
finish area shifts
Finish/Timing
Taking place at the finish line, timing volunteers will be tracking each runner as they finish the race, either on the iPad (using the super easy UltraSignup app) or manually on paper (as a backup). Timing volunteers may also be helping to call out bib numbers or tracking the top 10 on a whiteboard to display in the party area. This is a very important job so we do ask that timing volunteers be focused and present (not a good choice if you have a kid in tow and please do not bring all your friends to hang out with you at the timing tent). This shift is super fun though, cheering all the runners in as they finish, watching the range of emotions as people come across that finish line, and hanging out with Mr. Varner himself.
Taking place at the finish line, timing volunteers will be tracking each runner as they finish the race, either on the iPad (using the super easy UltraSignup app) or manually on paper (as a backup). Timing volunteers may also be helping to call out bib numbers or tracking the top 10 on a whiteboard to display in the party area. This is a very important job so we do ask that timing volunteers be focused and present (not a good choice if you have a kid in tow and please do not bring all your friends to hang out with you at the timing tent). This shift is super fun though, cheering all the runners in as they finish, watching the range of emotions as people come across that finish line, and hanging out with Mr. Varner himself.
Merchandise Table
Calling all social butterlies, this job is for you! The merch table shift takes place at the finish area party and is probably the busiest of all the tasks. You will be selling all the fun Rainshadow merchandise (hoodies, hats, shirts, cups, etc) and handing out raffle prizes. An outgoing and enthusiastic personality works best at the merch table as you will be interacting with tons of people all day! By the time the runners get to you, they've finished their race, probably downed a slice or two of pizza and are likely drinking a beer so they are on cloud nine and ready to mingle!
Calling all social butterlies, this job is for you! The merch table shift takes place at the finish area party and is probably the busiest of all the tasks. You will be selling all the fun Rainshadow merchandise (hoodies, hats, shirts, cups, etc) and handing out raffle prizes. An outgoing and enthusiastic personality works best at the merch table as you will be interacting with tons of people all day! By the time the runners get to you, they've finished their race, probably downed a slice or two of pizza and are likely drinking a beer so they are on cloud nine and ready to mingle!
Post Race Food
Also taking place at the post race party area, food volunteers will be keeping the buffet table stocked with all kinds of goodies (chips and dips, fresh veggies, cookies) and making sure all the coolers of drinks stay full or helping to serve beer (you will be everyone's favorite person in the world)! Stationed close to the wood-fired pizza, be sure to do some quality control while you are there! :)
Also taking place at the post race party area, food volunteers will be keeping the buffet table stocked with all kinds of goodies (chips and dips, fresh veggies, cookies) and making sure all the coolers of drinks stay full or helping to serve beer (you will be everyone's favorite person in the world)! Stationed close to the wood-fired pizza, be sure to do some quality control while you are there! :)
Clean Up
Not typically the most sought after task, signing up for this job will earn you big brownie points with the race staff (and obviously race credit). This shift generally involves helping race staff sort through the aid station bins as they return, helping the post race food volunteers keep on top of the trash/recycling, helping us organize supplies, and washing dishes.
Not typically the most sought after task, signing up for this job will earn you big brownie points with the race staff (and obviously race credit). This shift generally involves helping race staff sort through the aid station bins as they return, helping the post race food volunteers keep on top of the trash/recycling, helping us organize supplies, and washing dishes.