Magazine Column: "The Gear Hound" comic variation on running gear topic written for volunteer recognition issue

1. the hound
The Well-Equipped
ATC Volunteer: AGuide
BY MICH E LLE BOURG
L
eaf through any running magazine (includ-
ing this one) and you'll find dozens of ads,
and at least one review, for various items of
equipment, all designed to make runners
faster, stronger, warmer, cooler or just more impres-
sive-looking while doing their thing. For an "equip-
ment free" sport, running can involve a lot of
equipment.
However, not much has been said about
gear for those intrepid supporters of the run-
ner's game: the volunteers. The following
guide may be helpful to those alongside
the course in becoming as well
equipped as those running it.
The foundation of the well-
equipped volunteer is the same as
it is for a runner:
co mfortable
1 shoes. While
features like air or computerized cushioning aren't
necessary, a water station for the Women's SKora
three-hour shift at the Expo will feel like an ultra-
marathon without good, supportive shoes. It can be
downright dangerous, too: the medical crew at a
recent track meet reported only one injury, incurred
when a volunteer twisted an ankle slipping off of a
pair of platform shoes. Remember, "They also serve
who only stand and wait." This is easiest in com-
fortable shoes.
The second most important item of equipment is
a reliable alarm clock. An 8 a.m. start time requires
volunteers to be on hand somewhat earlier, at a time
known in the business as "o'dark-thirty." Ifyou can-
not find an alarm clock with an "o'dark-thirty" set-
ting, a standard one will do, but be sure that it has
a snooze button and battery backup in the event of
power outages caused by high winds, especially
before the Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon.
The clothing guidelines used by runners also
apply to volunteers. Spring and fall events are usu-
ally comfortable at race time but chilly beforehand,
so it's good to wear light layers that can be removed
as it warms up. In winter, layers are a lifesaver. Two
or three are usually enough, but for Track Day,
seven or eight may be necessary A complete change
of shirts may be needed to stay cool during summer
races, (for the Masters and Open meet, at least
three). Sunglasses and/or a cap protect the eyes and
prevent squinting- you never know when your
picture will be taken for Wingfoot. Don't forget sun-
screen and insect repellent; you'll want to get a
warehouse member.ship so you can buy these in
bulk
The Track Club provides most miscellaneous
items, such as duct tape, bullhorns, stopwatches,
reflective vests and maps of the course. Whatever
your assigned job, course maps can be instrumental
in performing it. You'll find that even if you're 20
feet up on a ladder cont. on page 39
J,~~:::-----~---......-
Illustration by Michael Hu~hes
W/NGFOOT March 2005 5

2. WOMEN'S TEAM I SHE ILA MCINTOSH
The holidays didn't stop the _-TC "-omen's team from racing!
At the Kiawah Island Marathon, Eileen Torres was the second woman in
3:06:27, and new team member Laurie Knowles was third in 3:09 on a blus-
tery day. Kiawah is a beautiful place to visit and run, but can experience bru-
tal coastal winds, and this rear's race was one of those times. In the half
marathon, Katie Sint placed third in 1:23:01.
joyce Hodges Hite ran the USATF Cross-country National Championship in
Portland, Oregon and finished forth in her age group. It should be noted that
the week before, she ran her 99th marathon here in Atlanta. Her 1OOth will be
at Tybee in February. She finished first in her age group at the Run to See the
Candy in Eastman, Ga., where she was accompanied by her son and grand-
daughters.
Patty Foell was the first woman in 19:52 at the Virginia- Highland Christmas
Grand Prix Update
bundant resolutions this past january 1st
brought a great turnout of ATC members for
ur Resolution Run SK and 10K at Technol-
ogy Park in Norcross. Or perhaps it was the unsea-
sonably warm temperatures that seduced runners,
You may look up
your most recent
Grand Prix points
enticing them to enjoy a
Run.jill Spiegel was the first masters woman at the Go Red for Women SKin ••••••••
and standing on the
recently redesigned
ATC website:
atlantatrackclub.org
perfect day to begin the
New Year. The Grand Prix
list of standings became
so extensive (a good
thing), that there are
insufficient pages (a bad
thing) available in the
March Wingfoot to print
20:20.
Susan Lance ran the First Light Marathon in Mobile on Jan. 2 in Mobile,
Ala. , in 3:54 and followed that with a SOK in 6:45.
The january/February race season results will appear in the next issue. e
MASTERS TRACK &FIELD TEAM
JIM HITE
The ATC Masters Track and Field team held its 2005 season planning
meeting jan. 9 at the ATC office. After a review and explanation of team
policies, the team compiled a list of Masters indoor and outdoor compe-
tition. Highlighted meets include the USATF Georgia Association Masters
championship at Savannah State on April 15-16, which will also be the
USATF Southeast Region championship; the ATC meet on june 11; the
Georgia Games, july 17; the World Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Cana-
da, on july 27; and the USATF ational Masters championship in Hawaii,
Aug. 4-7. Members also will be running and throwing in the Tuesday
evening ATC all-comers meets which begin in May. e
all the names.
Luckily technology comes to the rescue. You may
look up your most recent Grand Prix points and
standing on the recently redesigned ATC website:
atlantatrackclub.org. Watch for the regular Grand
Prix Update in next month's Wingfoot. See you at
the races! e
cont. from page 5, Well-Equipped
assembling the finish line scaffolding, at least one
onlooker will come up asking to see a map. Usual-
ly they don't know anyone in the race, they just
like to look at course maps. Having one handy
allows you to continue doing your job while they
happily peruse it before wandering off.
The signature item for an ATC crewmember is
the very exclusive volunteer shirt. (The volunteer
shirt for Peachtree is actually more rare than the
famed runners' version; it's also at least as much of
a challenge to earn). Usually a T-shirt with a sea-
sonal design, the volunteer apparel item is on occa-
sion a bit more substantial, such as the fleece
pullovers or the famous yellow raincoats from a for-
mer Atlanta Marathon and Half Marathon. Afterjust
a few races, volunteers find themselves with a sub-
stantial collection of these items, and a peek into
their closets will reveal that up to 75 percent of
their wardrobe is emblazoned with the ATC
phoenix logo.
So yes, volunteers need their gear, too. But as a
volunteer, always remember that your most impor-
tant tools are the ability to be flexible and a sense of
humor. No matter what comes up during a race,
whether it's the Peachtree or the kids' 50-meter
dash at All-Comers, these are the things that will
ultimately get you through and keep everything
what it's meant to be: fun. e