Volunteering at an IM and registering the next day

Coach Rich

Hey folks,

I know a lot of people plan to attend these races so they can register the next day, and plan to volunteer so they can get in the volunteer-only registration line. Here is a little known fact, proven the last two years by Patrick registering for IMLP. This isn't guaranteed, cuz WTC can change the rules any time, I suppose.

The day after the race there will be an "I volunteered" registration line and a "I didn't volunteer" reg line. Both lines will start to form stoopid early and will be of Led Zepplin ticket scale by 8am. The former goes first, then the later. At some point mid-morning, I think this happened at about 10:30am at LP in 2009, the RD comes up to the last person in line, gives them a bracelet or something, and says "you're the last person we'll let register onsite this morning. Please tell any coming up that they'll need to register on line.

So...all you gotta do is get in line BEFORE the RD delivers that last-man bracelet. For IMWI this year I plan to get in line at about 9:50, not 4:50 like everyone else. Maybe P can give us a time recommendation based on his experience with Lake Placid.

 

William Jenks

In 2008 at WI, we got in line at about 7:00, which was totally unnecessary. By the time I got out of line, you could just walk up and register with virtually no line at all, as I remember it. I had called late in the week before the race and had been told that there were no guarantees, but they had never not registered everyone who was in line (although she may have used some qualifying language, like "in line when we opened"...I just don't remember).

The only thing that I can think of for which being in line super-early would be important is if you want to get lodging using the IM hotel reservation system and wanted to get a certain place. I was not in the volunteer line, and by the time I got in, maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the hotel rooms were sold out, including all the least expensive ones.

mancona

One other tip... the hotel reservation system usually opens the same time or EARLIER then on-site registration. I saw a number of people booking rooms while waiting in line from laptops last year.

My experierence has been, like William, that the line dies down pretty quick. I will likely be getting a hotel reservation online from the hotel room or starbucks first and then heading over to get in line to register.

Al Truscott

 I think things are getting tighter now, at least for the most popular races like WI. Last fall @ IM AZ 2009, The scenario Rich describes was in effect, and the line started to get shorter about 9:45. I suggest being there @ 9 AM.

Coach Rich

Hotels: I've never had a problem booking a room in Madison a couple weeks out from the race, have even booked race week. That said, I don't really care about staying close to the venue, though I may book something closer since Joanne will be with me for the event next year.

Chris G

 Totally unclear why people get in line so early.  There were a bunch of people at LP that camped out this year.  I got in line about 8 [as I was foolishly thinking I would get out of there quick] if I was early.  About 80 percent of the people in line had volunteered.  Registration for LP has gone online every single year always so that means that everyone on site has gotten in.  The worst thing about the new and improved on site registration is that they have people typing credit card numbers into the active site.  They have this new technology that lets people swipe a credit card but I guess that has not filtered down yet. 

 

John Stark

Good stuff.  Mr. Ambrose and I are volunteering at IMAZ this year so we can get spots for 2011 AND to cheer on our EN team mates.  This info. is helpful.  Thanks.

John

Al Truscott

Posted By Chris G on 31 Aug 2010 04:11 PM

...Registration for LP has gone online every single year always so that means that everyone on site has gotten in. ... 

 

I suspect that WTC puts a limit on on-site registration to ensure some online opportunity. Evidence is they do cut off the lines, and those cut-offs may be happening earlier at LP, WI, FL, and now AZ - but not yet CDA or StG. Texas - kemo sabe?

Coach Rich

We could also leverage the team to make sure the last person in line is always an EN athlete, they get the Magic Bracelet, and then let any other EN athletes who show up just get in line ahead of them

Swoodowrth

Tip: Kathy and I worked Saturday morning checking in athletes and registering athletes from current year who wanted to sign up for following year. They let us register at that time. They let all the volunteers who were there at that time register.

Cary Blanco

I got on line at 8:30 at IMLP last year - worked fine.


I know if one person that got entry this year after the magic bracelet was put into effect, but it's not something I would count on.

tgarson

I can't remember what time I got in line at IMWI last year, I think it was 30 minutes before registion opened so it could not have been super early. We were already in the back of the huge volunteer line but the line moved very quickly. I was in, registered and out within an hour. By about then they were close to starting to register the non-volunteer line.

If you volunteer, really don't sweat getting to the line early. My only real motivation was to get in there and get out so I could make the drive back home and get to work later in the day.

William Jenks

If you volunteer, there's no reason whatsoever to be there before the line opens unless you need to leave the venue early - YOU WILL GET IN.

I still haven't decided 100% whether to do this race, but if I do, I will have to do registration on line in all likelihood due to family and work obligations that would be hard to get out of.

Does anyone have experience with or suggestions about successful online registration of WI? My memory is that it has had some on line registration available for the last few years.