Volunteer Roles

Driver

Warehouse drivers will assist the operations team in delivering and moving supplies from the warehouse to assigned locations on course. Based on your drivers qualification and skills you may be assigned to drive a car, van, SUV, pick-up truck, 1 ton, 3 ton or 5 ton truck as required.

Warehousing, Cleaning + Organizing Supplies

Prepare, sort out and clean course supplies such as cones, banners, safety vests and setting up various equipments as required and assigned during race week and event day.

Warehouse Support + Moving Supplies

Requires being physically capable of lifting up 35-50lbs (small child), working outdoors, have a driver’s licence, and the desire to commit to being a part of the operational backbone of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. Ability to work in a team environment and be supportive of the warehouse operational team be a self starter, motivated, innovative, flexible and patient. One of the most important expectations for this role is being excited to support all the volunteers and participants on event week to make one of the largest marathons (& half marathons) in Canada a great success.

Captain

A Captain is the leader of a team of volunteers. As a Captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, and identifying an assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

Volunteer Check-in

Key responsibilities involve assisting the Volunteer Check-In Captain to check-in other volunteers and hand them their official Event T-Shirt. This position might also be an information point for guests and runners at the Expo.

Set-up Crew

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Expo Coordinators and Captains in setting up various stations and equipment. Some of the set-up areas will include Exhibition Booths and Package Pick-up. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials such as tables and chairs, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set-up crew. We highly encourage and recommend groups and teams to assist the society as set-up volunteers.

Information Ambassador

Your role is to provide support to the public, to participants, their friends and families, and even to other volunteers at the Expo. As an Information Ambassador at the Expo you will be greeting runners, guests and the general public, answering questions related to the Expo, races, related events, city and attractions, and providing directions within the Expo and the immediate surrounding area.

The race day schedule is hectic and busy. Four races will run concurrently – the Marathon, Half Marathon 8KM, and Relay Please ensure you know what time all the races and Street Festival are happening.

Please remember you are a representative of the Society and need to ensure a safe and positive experience.

Traffic Counter

Your role is to count guests entering the exhibition halls, and record this data using tools and equipment provided by organizers. Situate yourself in an inconspicuous location as to allow for full concentration on recording accurate attendance numbers.

Package Pickup

At Package Pickup you will provide runners with their bibs and runner’s bags, and remind runners to pick-up their race shirt at the exit of the Expo. Package Pickup volunteers will also greet the runners with friendly manners, answer race related questions and wish them a good race day.

Course Map Host

Your role is to provide detailed information about the courses of the various races being hosted on race weekend – the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8KM and Relay. Offer support to the public, participants, their friends and families, and even to other volunteers at the Expo and on Race Day. This may include anything from answering questions about the course routes, event maps, alternate driving routes, transit times to helping lost children. Please remember you are a representative of the Society and need to ensure a safe and positive experience.

T-Shirt Pickup

T-Shirt Pickup is located at the Exit of the Expo. After runners pick-up their bibs, they come to the T-Shirt counter to pick-up their tech race shirt. Check the back of their bib number to verify gender, size, and race distance. Hand-out the T-Shirt and mark the bib number to indicate the shirt has been picked up.

Transit Ticket Pickup

Every Marathon or Half Marathon runner gets a free single use Compass ticket. Mark the back of the bib to indicate the ticket has been picked up.

Clean-up Crew

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Expo Coordinators and Captains in dismantling and cleaning up the key Expo areas, Each volunteer will be tasked to help with organizing individual areas, removing signage, and collecting any recycling or garbage left behind. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials such as tables and chairs. Please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as clean up crew.

Captain

A Captain is the leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

Volunteer Check-in

Assist Volunteer Check-In Captain to check-in other volunteers and hand them their official Event T-Shirt. This position might also be an information point for guests and runners at the Start Line.

Set-up Crew

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Captain in setting up various stations and equipment at the Start. Some of the places will include preparing and setting up the fence, tables, barriers and tents. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set-up crew.

Information Ambassador

Your main role is to provide support to participants, their friends and families and even to other volunteers on Race Day. This may include anything from answering questions to providing directions to helping lost and found children.

The Race Day schedule is hectic and busy. Four races will run concurrently – the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8KM and Relay. Information Ambassadors will be present at the Start and Finish areas in order to answer questions from the public and generally guide participants and spectators as required.

Gear Check

Your role is to assist runners as they check their gear at the Start Line. Ensure all runners belongings are placed in the clear bags provided, and secured with a zip tie. Bags are to be labeled with runners bib tags.

Corral Marshal

Key responsibilities will include marshalling the Marathon and Half Marathon runners by dividing each start corral in groups while standing in between the marked areas in front of the participants, and making sure the participants are staying behind the rope.

Relay Start

This is the Gear Check and Shuttle bus pickup-point for all relay runners. Relay runners can check their gear and take a shuttle to their exchange position. Your role is to make sure every runner gets onto the right bus and checks their really gear correctly.

Prestige Club + Legacy Club Host

Your role will be to assist with the set up of the Prestige Club and Legacy Runner Hospitality Tent, welcome runners as they arrive, assist the runners with the refreshments, gear check and directions and facilitate the tear down.

Captain

A Captain is the leader of a team of volunteers. As a captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

Water Station

Water Stations are located at regular intervals along the courses. Your role is to set up the water station as per your Captain’s instructions, prepare water, electrolyte drink, and gels, if applicable, before the runners arrive, hand out water, electrolyte drinks, or gels to participants and clean-up the station before leaving. It is the responsibility of volunteers to guide the runners as they come through the water station in order to ensure a seamless movement of all participants.

Marshal

Most of our participants are not familiar with all of the streets in Vancouver our course travels on. For this reason, it is important to have volunteers direct the runners. Course Marshals provide directions to participants and are also our primary cheerleaders and motivators. Many participants have finished or have run faster purely from the encouragement given by an enthusiastic marshal on the course.

Relay Hubs

Most of our participants are not familiar with all of the Relay Stations and the streets in Vancouver our course travels on. For this reason, it is important to have relay volunteers direct the runners. Volunteers at Relay Stations are also our primary cheerleaders and motivators.

Your role is to assist with set up of the Relay Hub equipment and supplies, assisting and directing runners as they exchange the bib with their teammates and dismantling the station once the event is finished.

Medical Station

There are several medical stations on course located near water stations. Additionally there is a Medical Headquarter located at the finish line. Each course medical station is numbered and supplies housed in a portable storage unit. Each medical station is completely self-contained & managed by qualified medical volunteers.

Entertainment Station

There will be bands and music groups on course at entertainment stations. All of the on course entertainment will be there for runners and spectators to enjoy free of charge! Each entertainment station is completely self-managed by bands and music groups.

Cyclist

Cyclists are essentially the “eyes and ears” of the race and an incredible resource to runners, volunteers, officials and spectators. They act as guides for the participants, alert start and finish officials on race progress, assist course marshal volunteers and water stations on course during the race. Cyclists also monitor course conditions including making sure the integrity of the course signage and security is maintained throughout the marathon event. Please note: as a Cyclist for the event, you must provide and use your own bicycle.

Driver

There are several options for drivers to choose from to assist the operations team in delivering and moving supplies. Based on your drivers qualification and skills you may be assigned to drive a car, van, SUV, pick-up truck, 1 ton, 3 ton or 5 ton truck as required. Other duties and responsibilities may include providing updates to course operations, ensure integrity of the course for runners, officials and volunteers.

Kids Run

The Kids Run takes place at Lost Lagoon on the Saturday of race weekend. All Kids Race Volunteers participate with setup and tear down. Set up tables, food, water, tents and signs. Assist in marshalling. Accompany kids to the start line and act as a cheerleader and motivator.

Captain

A Captain is the leader of a team of volunteers. As a Captain you will be taking on a leadership role and required to oversee several key responsibilities as you will be a leader of a group. Captains are responsible for recruiting other volunteers, identifying assistant captain within their teams who can help them in managing the group. In addition to attending all mandatory training sessions, learn the course route and be familiar with the proper coordination and management of their specific stations and zones as assigned. Captains pick up supplies and equipment necessary for their teams to do their job and also make sure that the team of volunteers they are in charge of are well looked after and provided with snacks and refreshments during the event.

Volunteer Check-in

Assist Volunteer Check-In Captain to check-in other volunteers and hand them their official Event T-Shirt. This position might also be an information point for guests and runners at the Finish Line.

Set-up Crew

You will assist the event organizers under the leadership of your Finish Zone Leader and Captain in setting up various stations and equipment. Some of the set-up areas will include Finish Line, Signage, Medals, Gear Pick-up, Festival, Food and Water. Some areas will require lifting of equipment and materials such as tables and chairs, please make sure you are physically fit to lift some of the materials before registering and volunteering as set-up crew. We highly encourage and recommend groups and teams to assist the society as set-up volunteers since we need the biggest help with setting up the Finish Area on Saturday.

Information Ambassador

Main role is to provide support to participants, their friends and families and even to other volunteers on Race Day. This may include anything from answering questions to providing directions to helping lost and found children.

The Race Day schedule is hectic and busy. Four races will run concurrently – the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8KM and Relay. Information Ambassadors will be present at the Start and Finish areas in order to answer questions from the public and generally guide participants and spectators as required.

Gear Pickup

Volunteers at the Gear Pickup will assist in organizing the gear check bags according to bib number as per your Captain’s instructions. This must be done before runners begin to arrive at the Finish Line. Once runners begin to arrive, your role will be to collect runners’ bags by matching the number attached to the bag to the number of their bib. All runners must collect their own gear check bags.
Runners should be encouraged to use the Green Chair recycling stations to discard any unwanted items.

Medals

Your role will include assisting with setting up medals at the finish line, handing out medals to participants when they cross the finish line and direct runners towards the food and medical service as needed.

There are four events during Race Day – the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8KM and Relay. Each participants bib will have a colour that corresponds to the ribbon on the medal. This will assist you in giving the participants the right medal.

Finish Food Set-up + Hand-out

Food will arrive packaged and loaded into large boxes that will sit on pallets. Unpack boxes of food to make it as easy as possible for runners to grab their food. It is important to remember that at the peak of the finish we will have close to 200 participants crossing the line every minute. It is imperative that participants receive their food and then leave the finish shoot as efficiently as possible. Please pick up wrapping paper, garbage or plastic cups to have an organized and clean food area at all times.

Bottled Water Handout

The primary responsibility is to make sure that all runners crossing the finish line are given bottles water to hydrate and quench their thirst after finishing the race.

Prestige Club Host

Your role will be to assist with the Prestige Club runners after their race. Your duties as a host will be to identify the Prestige Club runners by their unique bibs as they cross the Finish Line, lead them to the Prestige Club area and make their post-race experience comfortable.

Results Tent

The Results tent will be located at the Street Festival. Set up tents, tables and iPads. For each participant, type in their bib number to locate their results. Direct the runners to the Information Booth next to you they have any race-related questions you are unable to answer.

Clean-up Crew

The primary responsibility of the clean up team is to make sure that the runners’ compound and Street Festival Finish Line are cleaned up after the event, depending on your assigned shirt during race day. Each volunteer will be provided with the tools to complete your duties and instructions from your Captain.