Instructions for Race Volunteers
Reporting for Assignments
Please report to your assigned location at the time prescribed by the event coordinator. Early is on time. On time is late.
Please do not leave your assignment and congregate with other volunteers in the area prior to the race starting. Police supervisors are trying to verify the route is fully staffed and this will cause unnecessary confusion by locations being left vacant.
How to prepare for your assignment.
If you have received your assignment location prior to the day of the race, please familiarize yourself with your area. E.g. How to get there. What point in the race is your position located? (mile marker 1, 5, 10?) Are there churches, restaurants or other large businesses in the area? Lastly, are there restroom facilities in the area?
If you have access to them, bring whatever traffic control devices you might need. E.g. Traffic cones, signage, flashlight.
Familiarize yourself with the best alternate routes for motorists to use to get across or around the event. This will prevent arguments and irate motorists.
Make sure you have appropriate clothing for the weather.
Make sure you wear any clothing provided by the race coordinators. E.g. Special colored volunteer shirts, safety vests etc…
Make sure you bring equipment that will enable you to be comfortable while still handling your assignment. E.g. Lawn chair, umbrella, etc…
Make sure you have something to drink and snack on if you will be handling a lengthy assignment.
Traffic Direction Instructions
** Main Goal – Provide protection for the race participants while accommodating motorists whenever possible.
** General Rule – Allow motorists to CROSS the race route whenever it is safe to do so. Vehicles should not be allowed to drive ON the route.
Upon arrival at your assignment, be as visible as possible. A police department supervisor will be coming by approximately 20 minutes before the start of the event to make sure all positions are covered.
DO NOT use your personal vehicle to block a roadway or alley. Please find a legal place to park.
You WILL be assigned to a position where motorists will have to legally stop no matter what. E.g. stop sign, flashing red signal. Take up a conspicuous position where motorists are able to see you without you having to step in front of a moving vehicle.
Get the driver’s attention as they approach.
If you feel that you have to approach the vehicle to talk to the driver, do so from the side after you have gotten their attention and they have stopped. NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN FRONT OF A VEHICLE OR IN ANY POSITION THAT COULD CAUSE YOU TO BE STRUCK. Explain what is going on and offer the alternate routes or explain that you will let them cross the route whenever there is a break in the runners/walkers large enough for them to safely do so.
If the driver or any of the other occupants of the vehicle become irate, DO NOT become involved in an altercation even if the driver insists on proceeding onto the race route. If he/she refuses to turn around and find another route and drives through your position onto the route, they will inevitably come to a position staffed by a police officer. Let them will handle the situation.
End of Race Instructions
After the biggest group of runners passes your position, there will be those who either fell behind running or chose to walk the race. These “stragglers” can become spread out and several minutes may go by without you seeing a participant. DO NOT leave your position. There will nearly always be a police officer in a “tail car” at the end of the race. During bigger races, the officer will normally be accompanied by a KCFD vehicle/ambulance and a representative from the Area Transportation Authority. (City bus service.) THIS OFFICER OR A RACE DIRECTOR WILL RELEASE YOU. If the officer does not speak directly to you, you may just ask if they are the tail car and if you are free to open your position.
Many races have routes that will bring the runners by your position more than once or they may start the runners in waves. Again, DO NOT leave your position because you have not seen a participant in several minutes. The officer in the “tail car” or a race director will release you.
Lastly, you should never be afraid to stop any police officer you see along the route and ask questions if you do not understand something. Getting an answer to a quick question may help prevent mistakes or misunderstandings later on and may help you to find the easiest way to handle your position.