Chapter Ten
MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Return to Race Manual Table of Contents

Front of the Chutes

• Primarily responsible for overall direction of the finish line
• Concerned with flow of runners through the chutes, including use of chute ropes if required.
• May have to deal with crowd control
• Secondarily responsible for timers and front herders/spacers

• Primary responsibility is to turn and follow the last runner whenever a chute is closed. The spacer becomes the break between one group of finishers and another if a chute is reopened before it completely clears out.
• Often "CLOSED CHUTE" cards are carried by the spacer and given to the tag puller at the back of the chute to be placed on the stringer or spindle. In any case, the spacer should stay in line until eye contact is made with the tag puller and the end of one group of runners is clearly identified.
• Secondary responsibility is to "pull" runners into a chute by attracting their attention. Yelling and arm waving help, but the spacer must be careful to stay at least three feet behind the finish line and be sure not to cross over it.
• The spacer should also serve as a herder in keeping runners in order, making sure they don. t change chutes, and assisting sick or injured runners back to the mid-chute herders who will take over from that point.

• Primary responsibility is to keep runners moving in the chutes and to make absolutely sure that runners do not change chutes for any reason. Runners should be politely but assertively encouraged (vocally) to keep moving all the way to the back of the chutes.
• The mid-chute herders should also be the first line of assistance for sick or injured runners. Runners in trouble should be picked up, carried or helped out of the chutes. If necessary, the runners. bib tags should be pulled and given to the appropriate tag puller.

• Responsible for taking tags one at a time and handing them one at a time to the spiker.
• If runners have not already removed their tags, the tag puller must remove the tags from the bibs.
• For "bandits" (unregistered runners) and runners who have lost their bibs, the tag puller should take a bandit tag from the carpenter. s apron provided and hand it to the spiker to take the place of a bib tag.

• Responsible for receiving tags and putting them on the stringers or spindles provided. It is vital that tags be handled one at a time. Tags should NEVER be accumulated in hands or pockets.
• Preferably, tags should be placed face down (pointing toward the stringer or spindle identification tag).

• Supervisors are responsible for distribution of stringers or spindles and accumulation of tags.
• Making sure that stringers are handed out in order is vital.
• Supervisors also collect completed stringers, secure them and give them to the "runners" who will take them to the scoring area.

• Delivery persons from the finish line to the scoring area who pick up Chronomix tapes and select time sheets from the front of the chutes, and stringers or spindles from the back of the chutes.
• Deliveries should be made as frequently as possible once the finish begins.

• Take a "stopped" time for every runner using either a small or large Chronomix machine. Concentration is vital and quick reaction times are often required.
• In a "flooded" chute system these volunteers are often called "button" timers because they are attached to the Chronomix/computer system by a long cord and are not directly responsible for the operation of the Chronomix machine.

• This position is critical for backing up the electronic systems. If the primary timing system fails, select times can be used to score the entire race.
• Select timers write down finishers. bib numbers and times (as they cross the line) on a random basis--usually every fifth to tenth runner depending on the flow.
• Accuracy is the most fundamental requirement. The bib numbers must be written down accurately and, using the special stopwatches provided, the "stopped" times must be recorded correctly.

• Direct traffic on the course, make sure runners take the correct turns and provide security, if necessary, against vehicles that might endanger the runners.

• Read elapsed time from the start of the race at various mile points along the course.
• Split timers start their watches at the beginning of the race and then run, ride or are transported to their assigned marks.

• Setup of aid stations requires that tables, cups, water, trash container, trash bags and surgical gloves be delivered well in advance of the start of the race.
• Water cups should be filled and set out on the table. This can be done by pouring directly into the cups from the Jerry cans or pitchers, or by dunking the cups into a water supply stored in a trash barrel with a clean plastic liner. Surgical gloves should be worn for this process. They also help keep the aid station personnel. s hands dry and warm on cool days.
• Depending on the size of the race field and the number of aid station volunteers available, cups (no more than three-fourths filled) can be handed to runners. Tables can also be positioned so the runners can take water cups directly from the tables.
• If cups are held for runners to take, the cup should either rest on the open palm of the hand or be held at the top and bottom by only the middle finger and thumb. Cups should not be gripped around the center since that is where the runners will grab them.

• Personnel will be assigned, usually in teams, to:
  

  Take the tags from the stringers and spindles and attach them to the scoreboards (which have been prepared in advance with double-sided tape and pre-numbered). Before each stringer is emptied, the stringer number should be written on the scoreboard at the point of the first runner tag for that stringer. Write the times from the Chronomix tape on the bib tags. One race official reads the times, another writes. A third person, using the select time sheets, should follow along to make sure that bibs are in order and times are assigned correctly. One or two other volunteers will scan the completed scoreboards for the age groups winners. Their names and finish times should be written on score sheets prepared in advance with each age division and the number of places in that division indicated.

• Completed scoreboards should be posted where runners can see them.
• Score sheets should be given to the awards announcer. Duplicates are advisable for the media, the sponsors/organizers and the running club. s newsletter editor.

• If used, this volunteer should be very familiar with the course.
• A distance of at least 30 yards should be maintained between the bicyclist and the lead runner.
• In large fields it is a good idea to have at least two cyclists in case the leader pulls away from the rest of the field by a large margin. One cyclist can stay with the leader and one can drop back to the pack.

• This responsibility will usually take several volunteers. In large races they will have no other assignments. In small races (particularly those in contained areas such as parks), it may be possible for the course officials to return to the finish line and handle other jobs until it is time to pick up barricades and cones and reopen the course to traffic.
• Some races (large events and triathlons in particular) require tremendous course setup and breakdown and separate crews, each with a truck, may be required.
• On street courses police are used for controlling traffic and monitoring key intersections. The police cannot be used as course marshals to direct the runners, and a course marshal should be in place at every turn that cannot be completely controlled by cones or barricades.

• When volunteers check-in at their assigned times, the volunteer coordinators should provide them with the following:
  

  Their assignment with the name of the supervisor to whom the volunteer should report. Their volunteer (race official) T-shirt, if provided. Any special equipment required, e.g. bullhorns, stopwatches and clipboards, Chronomix timers. General information (where is registration, where are the toilets, where is the awards ceremony, etc.). The location of volunteer refreshments (coffee, donuts, pop, water and beer), if provided.

• All volunteers should be told to check-out before they leave if recording the number of hours they worked is desired.

• Should not be assigned to a specific job. Can be used at the front of the chute, so long as he or she can be freed to deal with emergencies if they arise.
• Should be identified so other race officials, sponsors, and participants know who to approach for instructions or answers.

• Should not be left to the race director or a few "hard core" volunteers such as the club officers.
• Assistance should be arranged (assigned) in advance for packing the necessary gear, transporting it to the race site, unloading it, repacking it, returning it to the storage area and unloading. Neatness counts!