Endurance events as large as the Disney marathons require
thousands of regular ordinary folks lending a helping hand. And while
you will see a lot of cast members going about their work day while you
run the marathon, the bulk of the people handing out water and Powerade
will not be getting paid—they will be there as volunteers.
But just because they’re volunteering doesn’t mean they aren’t important.
In fact, those volunteers are truly invaluable. Every single person holding
out Dixie cups of water or helping you to stay on the race course provides
an important service.
A couple of weeks ago, I ran half-marathon in Northern California, sponsored
by a very prominent fitness magazine and that was, I presumed, topnotch
in the way it was organized. The fitness expo beforehand was smooth as
silk—albeit elbow-to-elbow crowded—with plenty of volunteers
helping with all aspects of packet pick-up… so there was little indication
that there may be any issues during the event itself.
Although I have entered a number of running events of various sizes,
the first water stop for this event was my first experience in a wholly
unprepared aid station. The station, in an event that drew roughly 15,000
participants, was staffed by no more than a couple of volunteers. Whatever
pre-filled cups that had been neatly laid out on the tables had long since
disappeared, replaced by two-liter bottles of partially filled water and
stacks of Dixie cups. Joggers didn’t know whether they were supposed to
take swigs from these huge bottles or stop to pour the water out themselves;
many simply looked at the mess and kept running. Behind the table was
a single man, trying desperately to help but succeeding only in laying
out more stacks of Dixie cups.
“Are we supposed to serve ourselves?” one jogger asked. The
response from the volunteer was a frown, a huge sigh, and a big shoulder
shrug.
Fortunately for Disney Marathon fans, this never happens, thanks to the
great efforts the volunteer coordinators go through to ensure adequate
staffing at all stations.
So far for this Walt Disney World Marathon Guide series, we’ve concentrated
primarily on the athletes themselves—the runners, the joggers, the
walkers, and the hope-to-be-ready-by-January former couch potatoes. But
regardless of your anticipated pace, chances are you will be bringing
family or friends to cheer you on. Maybe you live in the area and you
want to get into the spirit and excitement of the event without having
to train yourself? Do you enjoy visiting WDW during that slow period in
early January, and you want to do something different? Or maybe you are
running the half-marathon on Saturday and you want to get up close to
cheer on the marathoners on Sunday?
I have one word for you: Volunteer!
OK, before you jump headlong into volunteering for the marathon weekend,
you probably want to know what’s involved.
Disney has numerous different tasks and areas you can choose from, and
you can also specify whether you want to volunteer on Saturday for the
half-marathon, or on Sunday for the full marathon. And since the two events
are held on different days, for the first time, a participant in one event
can help volunteer in the other.
Volunteer sign-ups are available for areas such as checking in bags before
the event, providing crowd control in spectator areas, and setting up
the finish line area—and most importantly, the many water stops along
the course, and the food stations at the end.
If you have never volunteered in a large running event, you are in for
an eye-opening experience. For example, let’s say you volunteer at a water
station. Chances are, you will be required to show up while it’s still
dark. Your aid station may be far away from the starting area, so it might
seem very peaceful and quiet. The only way you will know that the race
has begun is by checking your watch, and maybe hearing a word from your
station leader. Everyone pitches in to get as many cups filled as possible.
And you wait. And wait.
Then, like the crack of dawn itself, you might see the lights of a police
motorcycle escort on the course. You crane your neck, and everyone around
you starts to get excited because you know the fastest runner is about
to pass your aid station.
Depending on where you are on the course, don’t be surprised if many
of the “gazelles” simply run right past you. But give it a few
minutes, and pretty soon you will realize that the numbers keep getting
bigger and bigger, like the stampede of wildebeests from The Lion King.
You might not be running yourself, but you are sure to feel the adrenaline
soar as people grab cups right out of your hand, one after another. Some
are smiling, some look tired, some might not even bother looking at you…
but every one of those runners will be happy to see your hand holding
up that cup of water. Maybe you make eye contact, and give the participant
a big smile or a cheer, and yell, “You look great!,” or (everyone’s
favorite), “You’re almost there!”
And although you are volunteering your time, your effort does not go
unnoticed by Disney. For donating your time, you receive a meal, a commemorative
windbreaker, and best of all, a free one-day, one-park pass to any of
the WDW theme parks! Not bad for a few hours’ work, eh? Your pass is good
for a whole year, so you don’t even have to use it right away. And if
you have a family in tow, you can even get grandma and the kids to sign
up so that everyone can wear their matching windbreaker jackets. Got a
marathon participant in the family? Get a group family picture in front
of Cinderella’s Castle on Monday and the family can look like mom’s very
own pit crew—mom proudly wearing her medal while the family wear
their matching windbreakers!
Before you decide to sign your toddler along, Disney does have an age
limit. All volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and if they are under
15, they have to work alongside you, and you have to be a chaperone.
When you go to the Sports Enthusiast page at the Disney Sports Web site
(link),
you will be able to select from the following 3 options:
- 2006 Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo and Family Fun Run
- 2006 Walt Disney World Half Marathon
- 2006 Walt Disney World Marathon
Each of these takes you to the information page for those specific events.
Select the “Register” link on the top right of the page, and
you can choose to register directly online or go to a PDF application
form. Even if you decide to mail or fax in your form, I suggest you look
at the online form, since it gives you the exact stations you can choose.
One thing you will immediately notice is that a number of them are already
“full.” These are not necessarily full, but have been reserved
by groups that have signed up to be responsible for the entire station.
The sooner you sign up, the better your options (although there is a fine-print
warning that they reserve the right to move you based on need).
And yes, those last aid stations on the full marathon course are already
filled. Those aid stations are pretty exciting, and the “you’re almost
there” phrase is finally taken seriously. However, as of this week,
water stops on miles 19, 20, 21, and 22 are still open, and those are
key locations from a runner’s perspective, because around Mile 20 is where
people often “hit the wall”—they’re depleted their glycogen
stores and are often pushing themselves mostly on mind power. It can get
emotional, and volunteers at those locations get to help the participants
through some of the toughest parts.
Are you planning to go as part of a large group? If you can commit 10
or more people, you can reserve your very own station. Maybe some members
of your church are running, or members of your teen’s cross-country team
from school, and there are enough family members to form a volunteer group.
Be careful, though. According to Disney Sports Volunteer Coordinator Michelle
Maready, groups who reserve stations are responsible for making sure that
the number they committed to actually shows up and volunteers.
Maybe standing out in the sun passing out water isn’t your idea of a
good time, but you still want to help. Volunteer opportunities are also
available for the Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo itself (on both Friday
and Saturday), as well as for the Disney’s Family Fun Run 5K and Kids’
Races on Saturday. For these, though, you get a volunteer T-shirt (instead
of a windbreaker), and you have to work multiple shifts in order to get
a theme park pass.
Most races require an orientation session for volunteers before the event
itself, and Disney offers this for those who are already in town the previous
Monday. If you cannot attend, however, basic information and volunteer
packet pickup are available during the expo itself.
If the participants provide the legs for the marathon, the volunteers
provide the heart. With many volunteer opportunities available throughout
the weekend, and some great perks to boot, why not consider volunteering?
You can be more than a spectator, and create your own magical memories
of Marathon Weekend, without going out on a single training run!
