1

2018

VOLUNTEER

MANUAL

2

Table of Contents

What is the Age Group National Championships............................................................................................3

Important facts about the Age Group National Championships……………………………………..………3

USA Triathlon Contact Information……………………………………………………………….….……..4

Travel to Venue and Parking………………………………………………………………………….……..4

Venue Information…………………………………………………………………………………….……..5

What to Wear and Bring………………………………………………………………………….………….6

Volunteer Information……………………………………………………………………………………….6

First Aid……………………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Job Descriptions………………………………………………………………………………………….......8

3

What is the Age Group National Championships?

Over 5,000 triathletes will compete in the USA Triathlon 2018 Age Group National

Championships, the culmination of the season.

Important facts about the Age Group National

Championships

-This is the first year that the event will be held in Cleveland, OH.

-The event will bring athletes from all over the United States and 13+ other countries who

have qualified to compete.

-There are multiple races taking place this weekend

-The Olympic Distance race taking place Saturday, August 11th.

-The Sprint Distance race taking place Sunday, August 12th.

4

USA Triathlon Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your volunteer shift, please do not hesitate

to contact the Volunteer Coordinator, whose contact information is provided below.

Volunteer Coordinator: Caroline Robinson (caroline.robinson@usatriathlon.org)

Assistant Race Director: Matt Reger (Matt.Reger@usatriathlon.org)

Travel to Venue and Parking

Venue is located at the following address:

Edgewater Park

7800 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway

Cleveland, OH 44102

Volunteer parking and accompanying shuttle transport will be available in the Nautica Lot

K (see map) for all volunteers working Age Group National Championships. Once parked,

volunteers can then proceed to the shuttle buses for transport to Edgewater Park. On the

return trip following the completion of your shift, shuttle buses will return you to the same

location within the Nautical Lot K. Please allow approximately 20 minutes from boarding

the shuttles until venue arrival. There is no parking at Edgewater Park.

Volunteer shuttles will run during the following times:

• Aug. 11: 4:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

• Aug. 12: 4:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Getting to the shuttle lot may be more difficult than normal due to road closures of the race

course, so please plan accordingly. Once on site, the Volunteer Tent will be a large white

tent with volunteer signage in the expo area.

Please visit the parking tab on the event page for further information on parking and

shuttles.

5

Venue Information

Start Line: Edgewater Park Beach

Medical/First Aid: Finish Line

Lost and Found: Volunteer/Information Tent

Event Parking: Parking information can be found here

Awards Ceremony: Cleveland Public Auditorium - Music Hall

500 Lakeside Ave

Cleveland, OH, 44114

Course Maps: Click here to access the course maps for the event

6

What to Wear and Bring

We ask that you wear your official volunteer t-shirt at all times while on duty. This will

allow athletes and staff to pick you out of a crowd more easily.

Since the event is an outdoor event, please prepare yourself for different weather

conditions. You are responsible for the following items, as we cannot guarantee a secured

area at the event.

We recommend you bring the following items

- Sunscreen - Sunglasses

- Water - Cell phone

- Jacket - Hat

Volunteer Information

Check-in Location:

7

Unless other instructions are given, please check in at the volunteer/information tent

(venue map on next page) in the expo area. You will receive your volunteer t-shirt upon

check in, and sign any waivers if not completed online. Please look for a large white tent

with volunteer signage upon arrival at the venue.

Check-in Times:

Each job may require a different check-in time so please refer to your sign-up information,

and please plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time.

Personal Belongings:

There will be no secure areas to store personal belongings. Please bring as little as possible

and what you can carry in a backpack.

Lost Property:

The lost and found area will be located at the volunteer/information tent. All items and

inquiries should be directed there.

Food and Beverage:

Depending on your scheduled shift you will be served breakfast, lunch and/or a snack. If

you have specific dietary needs please make arrangements to bring your own food.

First Aid

In the event of a medical situation:

-Assess the scene but do not put yourself at risk.

-Stay with the injured party and keep calm.

-If you have a radio of a cell phone, contact your volunteer coordinator; otherwise get

someone else to contact him/her for you.

-Note the facts and location to provide them to your volunteer coordinator.

-Never move a person if you suspect broken bones, back or neck injuries.

-Only provide first aid if you are qualified (minimum requirement is a current first-aid

certificate).

-Assist persons responding to the emergency.

-Ensure that someone warns oncoming athletes to avoid another accident, especially on the

bike course.

-Advise the motorcycle drivers who patrol the race course.

-If it appears to be a serious injury, please dial 911. If it does not appear to be a serious

injury, please do not dial 911. Use your best judgement.

8

Job Descriptions

Aid Station Add “Master Mixologist” or “Hydration Specialist” to your resume. Two parts water, one part Gatorade,

stir, pour, repeat. Or, perfect your baton relay by passing cups to parched but appreciative participants.

Fill half a cup, grasp by the rim, pinch and pass. (P.S. Keep America beautiful, clean up those cups too!)

Also, please keep an eye out for all types of emergencies. You are an extra pair of eyes on the course and

can help improve accident response times.

*Themed aid stations are encouraged! Dress up, play music, decorate your tent and cheer for the athletes

as they pass you by! Have some fun while you give liquids to those thirsty athletes! Keep it rated G

though.

Athlete Escort

Work with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and USA Triathlon to assist in the athlete drug-

testing procedures.

Award Ceremony Crown champions here. Help USAT staff hand out awards and set up for the awards ceremony. Moving

tables, chairs and decorate the CenturyLink Convention Center Omaha - Junior Ballroom to ensure a

professional championship look.

Please Report to the below address for this shift:

Cleveland Public Auditorium - Music Hall

500 Lakeside Ave

Cleveland, OH, 44114

Bag Check Race day can be stressful, so help take some stress away from our athletes by working bag check. Our

All-star team will show you the system, and the athletes can rest assured their stuff is safe!

Bike Course Support Prior to the start of the race you will meet with the bike course coordinator who will brief you on your

section of the bike course and duties required. Volunteers on the bike course are responsible for ensuring

athletes know which way they are going, blocking vehicles or spectators from entering the bike course, or

manning a crossing section of the course to allow spectators and/or vehicles to cross safely without

impending an athlete’s progress.

9

Cyclists can be traveling upwards of 40 mph in some sections of the course so please look at them as

vehicles and do not underestimate how quickly they can cover a distance. Also, please keep an eye out for

all types of emergencies. You are an extra pair of eyes on the course and can help improve accident

response times.

We are asking all Bike Course Support Volunteers to report directly to a pre-determined course location.

Further instruction regarding parking, volunteer t-shirt, and other information will be communicated

separately from this Manual.

Bike Check In/ Check Out A lot of bikes can mean a lot of confusion! Help our staff and officials check in bikes and make sure

they’re all safe and compliant, and then make sure the correct bikes are exiting with their rightful owners!

Certified Lifeguards

Help keep a watchful eye on our swimmers. All lifeguards must be certified. A mandatory training

session required for all Kayak/SUP volunteers will take place on Thursday, August 9th prior to the event.

It is highly encouraged that lifeguards also attend this training. The training will take place from 6:00pm-

7:30pm. More information regarding the training will be distributed prior to the event.

Crossing Guide/ Pedestrian Traffic Controller/Venue Support Look both ways before crossing! As a crossing guide, you’ll be in charge of pedestrian traffic and

ensuring that if they are crossing the race route, they are doing so in a correct and safe area.

The safety of both the athletes and spectators is incredibly important, so, as the crossing guide, we’re

putting their safety in your hands.

Expo Support Help our staff create the iconic look and feel associated with our National Championships. This role will

help our vendors and Marketing team, and is guaranteed a good time!

Finish Line Support Waves of surging athletes are running right at you- give them some water, a snazzy post-race gift, and

some praise! Athletes finishing out a long morning will need a strong shoulder to lean on.

Goody Bag Stuffing Get ready to form an assembly line and get the swag ready for packet pickup. The athletes will be forever

thankful for all their great gifts you helped prepare!

10

Packet Pick-up/ VIP Packet Pick-up Be the bearer of gifts, the sultan of SWAG. Athletes receive their official race number, information

packet, swim caps, etc. Never fear, we’ll have it all lined up nice, neat and orderly.

Post-Race Food Help the athletes refuel post-race at our Post-Race Food tent. Congratulate the athletes, mark their

wristband, and help them get all ready for their next race!

Race Packet Stuffing These items are the race essentials for the athletes. You will assist with labeling of envelopes and stuffing

race numbers and swim caps into the envelopes.

Results Help deliver the good news of results to our athletes! Ask them how the race went, and distribute their

result ticket.

Run Course Support Cheerleader and flagman combine to give a friendly face and directional support for tired athletes on their

way to the finish line. Show them the way home!

Also, please keep an eye out for all types of emergencies. You are an extra pair of eyes on the course and

can help improve accident response times.

Swim Course Land Support/Exit Assistants Keep a watchful eye on our athletes as they enter and exit the water. Help keep the Swim Course safe and

organized.

Swim Course Kayak/SUPS BYO Kayak or SUP and help watch over the swim course! Our Kayak/SUP volunteers will be briefed by

our staff on details regarding to the role. But really, does it get much better than a day on the water?!

A mandatory training session required for all Kayak/SUP volunteers will take place on Thursday,

August 9th prior to the event. The training will take place from 6:00pm-7:30pm. More information

regarding the training will be distributed prior to the event.

Timing Team If you’re persistently punctual, then this job is for you. Assist our timer before and after the racing begins.

John is a pro, so follow his lead; lay mats, cords and clocks. As we all know...timing is everything.

11

Team USA Assistant As Team USA Volunteers, you'll be assisting our Team USA Coordinator in the sign-up process for our

World Teams. These sign-ups will be done on site at the Awards Ceremony.

Please Report to the below address for this shift:

Cleveland Public Auditorium - Music Hall

500 Lakeside Ave

Cleveland, OH, 44114

Transition Change is inevitable. In multisport, we embrace it. Transition is the fenced in area containing all the

bikes, racks, clothing and excitement. It is the foundation of the triathlon course. Guard this barricaded

fortress, secure its entrances from spectators, and relax in the fact that you’ve just saved the Triathlon

Universe.

VIP Hospitality Tent Assistant Assist with VIP needs including check-in/tent access, early bike check out, and general VIP attendee

questions.

12

Caroline Robinson

USA Triathlon Volunteer Coordinator

caroline.robinson@usatriathlon.org

719-955-2820