CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — It was during the “Great Recession” when Colby Neilson, a math teacher at Pine View High School, and his friends were training for and participating in sprint and 70.3 triathlons. Then they had the crazy idea to host a race in St. George. They talked to an interested friend, Daren Brooks, and Kevin Lewis, who was the director of the Office of Sports & Outdoor Recreation for Washington County at the time, and the idea took off.
From visiting other races to working with local governments and Ironman, the framework began to take shape, and the first Ironman was held in St. George in 2010. Jeff Gardner, Neilson’s brother-in-law, was the race director. Neilson took on the responsibility of volunteer coordinator, a position he has held for the past 12 events.
On May 7, the Intermountain Healthcare Ironman World Championship, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, is coming to St. George. Neilson will again organize the volunteer effort, a process that involves thousands of Southern Utahns. It will be his 13th event, and he’s looking forward to it.
“I enjoy being part of it. It’s an awesome feeling to be able to help others achieve their life goals,” he said. “It’s a great atmosphere. There’s a lot of different areas to be involved in and witness these great athletes.”
Hosting a race of this scale wouldn’t be possible without the support of the local community. Volunteer help is needed throughout race week, starting April 30. With lots of logistics to get everyone where they need to be, this will require big participation from the community.
There are many ways to get involved, from handing out water at aid stations along the course to greeting athletes at the finish line, not to mention course cleanup and gear transfer. Ironman offers volunteer opportunities to fit any schedule, skill set and activity level.
All volunteers serve under an experienced captain who manages their sector of the event. Captains also assume responsibility for recruiting as many volunteers as possible in the weeks leading up to the race.
“People in this community have performed well since we started the race in 2010. I’ve found over the years people like to serve, and most people like to be helpful,” Neilson said. “We have had lots of local volunteers, and also some groups from the Salt Lake and Vegas areas and communities in between.”
By the time athletes arrive at Aid Station 5 during the run portion of the Ironman 70.3, they’re usually hot, sunburned and exhausted (or, in some years, frozen, rain-soaked and exhausted). But veterans of the grueling contest know that this particular stop will offer what they need to keep going: icy watermelon balls to soothe parched mouths and throats, a hanging sprinkler shower providing a welcome cooldown, humorous signage prompting a few chuckles, and most of all, upbeat music to send them on their way to the finish line. As captain of the venue for the past seven years, Sara Lang always aims to create the most memorable, enjoyable and supportive site on the course.
Lang has countless stories of her volunteers going the “extra mile” for flagging runners. In 2012, an athlete with a prosthetic leg was struggling mightily by the time she reached Aid Station 5. One of the volunteers walked all the way to the finish line with her to provide encouragement as she finished the race. More recently, a runner suffering severe leg cramps was convinced to sit in a camp chair at Lang’s station, whereupon volunteers briskly rubbed his calves before sending him on his way.
“There are always people who are out there all day in the hot sun, doing whatever they can to make sure the athletes are taken care of, and they have the best day ever,” she said. “I always joke that I assemble this amazing group of people who get us here. And then I don’t do anything; I just point.”
Jan Howes has volunteered at every Ironman race in St. George. She’s thrilled to welcome this caliber of sporting event, which she compares with volunteering for the Olympics, to the beautiful city she calls home.
“You’re actually helping these athletes. Volunteers are critical to cheer them on at a point where they might give up,” she said. “It makes me really happy we can be that involved with an athlete’s success.”
Along with enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done, many volunteers forge friendships that endure long after the race is over. Howes, who captains multiple stations every year, said her fellow volunteers and captains have always made her feel welcomed and valued. Being part of Ironman is exciting and fun and exhausting, and she can’t wait to do it all again.
An army of volunteers will be the key to pulling off another successful race. Volunteers get to be part of the exciting triathlon atmosphere, are given an event T-shirt and enjoy a volunteer party on May 9 complete with dinner, entertainment and prizes.
Neilson is encouraging everyone to get involved. Rally your family, friends, coworkers, church and community groups or come solo.
“Come and join us in making the World Championship the best the world has ever seen!”
Answer the call by going to the Greater Zion website and signing up to volunteer.
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