HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Read through the description of the teams and roles below to decide which ones you are interested in
Click on the button and select the shift you’re interested in (you can pick multiple!)
Enter a bit of information about yourself, your vehicle, and experience
Your team leader, director, or captain will reach out in the following weeks with more info
Why Bother Volunteering?
Um, because it’s a freaking blast. No really. You get to hang outside, in the beautiful fall weather of Colorado, while helping people accomplish their goals (and also watch them suffer and persevere) with other rad people. Don’t take our word for it though, come give it a try.
Besides the many thanks, snacks, and undying appreciation of the RD, you’ll also earn volunteer points that you can use to boost your odds in the High Lonesome 100 lottery. There’s no cap on how many shifts you work. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see a chart of what each shift is worth.
We’ve got a wide range of volunteer opportunities, from helping with pre-race prep in the days before, checking in runners the morning of, setting & cleaning up the course, managing the aid stations, and providing medical care to runners in need.
Read on to learn more about the teams.
General Volunteers
Our biggest team, the general volunteers carry the brunt of the race. From prepping supplies and checking runners in, to helping runners at aid stations and cleaning up after the race. This team does it ALL and has something for everyone, including kids! While not required, many aid stations spend the weekend camping together (because we just don’t want the good times to end) and it’s not uncommon for volunteers to work multiple shifts.
Comms Team
Love data and numbers? This is your team! The comms team plays the incredibly important role of tracking each runner in and out of every aid station. We utilize internet hotspots and the OpenSplitTime app as our primary tracking method. Additionally, the comms team provides communication between aid stations and CommsHQ through cell phones and Garmin InReach. The comms team is the most informed team in the race!
Medical Team
Want to help care for runners? Join our phenomenally talented medical team! The med team is led by our amazing medical director - Dr. Janetta Iwanicki - who works tirelessly to keep our runners safe. Medical volunteers are provided stocked medical kits, protocols, direction, and race-specific education. Medical volunteers must have at minimum First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification.
Course Team
The most active of all our teams, the course team is responsible for marking and sweeping the entire course. Course marking happens on Saturday, and sweeping happens in segments between aid stations on Sunday. We try to have folks work in pairs, though it’s possible you could be out there solo. The course team is a a great way to see the course, help us make sure no runners get lost, and get some seriously scenic miles!
FRIDAY PRE-RACE OPPORTUNITIES
If you really want to see “inside” a race, these are the best ways. We have two main tasks on Friday, aid station prep and runner check in. Both are done at the Buena Vista Community, which is in downtown BV and is a stone’s throw from the Arkansas River, world-class beer, food, and more. Both jobs are extremely important and lay the foundation for a smooth race day.
Friday COURSE MARKING
There are three sections for course marking, and they are very similar to each other. Distances range from 9-11 miles, with about 1500’ of gain in each section. All three can be done as a loop, making logistics easy. There are a LOT of junctions though, so markers are going to have to be on their A game to make sure everything looks good.
You’ll be given a UD fastpack (only if you want it), all the markings you need, an Avenza map with the route/trail names, and written sheet with the marking instructions. While each section can be done with 1 person, it’s nice to have 2 people so recruit your friends!
We’ll start marking the course on Friday afternoon around 3pm, so there’s time to get into town if you’re not local.
START LINE
The busiest time of the race! Luckily, there isn’t any parking to manage but there are runners to check in and a few random tasks. It’s fast and over quickly, so a lot of folks will also work the Finish Line. The nice part about being downtown is that you’re within a block of The Roastery (a great coffee shop), the Blend (the best breakfast burrito in town), and Lobacks Bakery (fresh donuts anyone?).
Valley View AID STATION
One glance is all it takes to see why Valley View got its name…it’s a national scenic overlook! With sweeping views of the towering Sawatch and Collegiate Peaks, Valley View is a stunning place to spend an afternoon, especially with all the modern amenities (pit toilet, picnic table, steel roofed picnic shelter, and enough LTE to live stream the whole race). A fast and furious aid station, Valley View sits about 8 miles into the race. Runners should be moving easily and smiling profusely at this point! Due to how short of a shift it is, this is a great and easy place for someone to double up on (Midland is 3 minutes away and is mile 25).
Captained by the one and only Hillary Osborne, you can’t not have a good time at this aid station. Not only is Hillary a coach for Lifelong Endurance, but she walks the talk. Hillary has been running run ultras since 2016, tackling everything from 50k to 100 miles with an envious balance of grit and grace.
Speculator AID STATION
Located just below the high point of the race and with monolithically staggering views of the Sawatch and Arkansas River Valley, Speculator is about as perfect of an aid station as they come. Speculator is mere 25 minute drive on 2wd roads from Buena Vista and features the luxuries of a port- potty AND 4G cell service. The half way point of the race at mile 15, runners will be stoked to see you and will need some TLC to be ready to take on the second half of the race.
Captained by adventurer and mountain lover Britt Anderson Parker, be ready to enjoy all that the day will have to offer!
Shields AID STATION
Situated in a canyon along the famous Midland Rail Line, Shields feels insanely remote despite being only 300 yards from a major highway. Sitting at mile 20, runners will have just come off a 4 mile, 1500ft descent and should be feeling like champions. In order to capture the faint rays of 4g cell service coming through the old railroad canyon, the aid station involves a pleasant 150 yard hike to an old earthen buttress. As we like to say, it’s a “full value” aid station!
Captained by the indomitable Patrick Murray, you’re bound to have a blast. Patrick is a front range trail work legend (Check out Trail Runner Volunteers) and has plenty of ultra running experience. Toss in his good humor, easy smile, and attention to detail and you’ve got a damn fine aid station.
Midland Aid STATION
Located at mile 25 runners are likely going to be feeling a little banged up but they should be stoked that the finish line is so close! It’s at a popular trailhead and is easy accessed by a short 10-15 minute drive on 2wd roads from BV.
Midland is captained the indomitable Lynn Hall. A Leadvillian, Lynn has had a heck of a summer taking on two 100 mile races (High Lonesome 100 and WAM 100) all the while living life at 10K ft to the fullest. While Lynn has an impressive history of races in her resume, it’s her kindness and ability to have a good time anywhere that will draw you in.
Finish Line AID STATION
It’s hard to beat finishing an ultra in the middle of a block party! Perfectly located on Main Street in downtown Buena Vista, the finish line will run into the heart of 14er fest. The energy is infectious, live music is playing, drinks are flowing, food is being slung, and runners are as stoked as they come. Plus, Laws Whiskey will be there serving up world famous whiskey and cocktails!
The Finish Line is captained by power duo, Kevin Cannaday and Jesse Miller. With their experience in ultras and love for music (if we're lucky, Jesse might grace us with his pickin' skills!), the Finish line is going to be fire!
Sweeping
Sweepers are a critical part of the race. They will run from aid station to aid station, making sure every last course marking is pulled, all the litter is picked up, and that all runners are accounted for. Sweepers will start a section once all runners have gone through the next aid station. Sections vary from 4-7 miles, so most folks sign up to run 2-3 sections.
Sweepers are given a UD fast pack, a Garmin InReach mini, a small med kit, and an Avenza map of the course. Sweepers should expect to move slowly and be EXTREMELY thorough…we don’t want to leave any course markings or trash out there.
Sawatch Ascent (Saturday and Sunday) Volunteering
Our third race, and part of the Sawatch 50/50, the Sawatch Ascent 50k has plenty of volunteer opportunities on both Saturday (race prep) and Sunday (race day). If you’re looking to make a run/volunteer combo, or volunteer for both days to max your points in the High Lonesome lottery, this is your race.
VOLUNTEER POINTS FOR HIGH LONESOME 100 LOTTERY
Hoping to boost your odds in the High Lonesome lottery? Each volunteer shift is worth a certain number of points which you can use to boost your odds in the lottery! We do this partly to as a “thank you” to our volunteers, but also because we want our community to be able to run and volunteer in equal measure. There is no limit to the number of volunteer points people can use in the lottery.
