Ok, Warrior Dash! It was the hardest I have ever worked while volunteering, but definitely worth it!! When I arrived at 7:00AM I was adopted by the KC Jeep Club to be part of their volunteer group because someone did not show up and I was a mere individual volunteer. I am SO glad I did this because I met some awesome people and learned about the KC Jeep Club, which sounds like a blast. Anywho, our group got assigned to work the gear check. Let me just tell you, it was chaos!
Everything ran smoothly until around 11:00AM. People were just checking bags in and we were doing what we needed to do. However, when the mud-crusted runners came back for their gear from the first couple heats of the day, all hell broke loose. Bags could not be found for 15+ minutes while other people were trying to check bags in and find the proper place for them. The system was set up by the runners’ bib number that was attached to their belongings and sorted on tables depending on that number. We had about 7 tables under our tent, but the bib numbers that were running from 9:00-2:00 only consisted of the numbers on three tables. So we had a lot of unused space and loads and loads of bags in a third of the tent.
I ran around trying to check bags and return bags and make sure I didn’t pass out in the process (it was hot!). Non-stop work (besides a 10 min break to eat a sandwich) from 7AM-2PM. We volunteers did the best we could and got through the day. Although it was hard work… I loved every bit of it!!! I was able to experience first-hand the unexpected problems that large events can have. This happens all the time in the 
marketing/event planning field and all you can do is your best. It taught me that everything needs to be integrated in order to run smoothly. The bib numbers should have been distributed evenly throughout the day. Or the gear check should know what the majority of the bib numbers are during that day and plan accordingly. Although it was a stressful few hours, I witnessed the actual staff of Warrior Dash from Chicago working their butts off to maintain as much order as they could without getting flustered or angry at the situation. These Red Froggers (www.redfrogevents.com) were passionate about this race and doing all that they could to please the runners and the volunteers. Hats off to all the hard workers out there on Saturday!! I went in expecting to stand in the same spot handing out bananas or picking up trash, but I am pleased that I had an assignment that kept me busy and that I learned from. THANKS WARRIOR DASH!!! Love you guys!!
After volunteering, I was able to walk around and experience the festivities a bit. Check it out:
It was a great time! Leave me a comment and subscribe!
-Erin
erin.likins 
