From Mitch Stern W1SJ:
Wanted: A few good hams!
Despite the obvious play on words, there is a serious need for amateur radio communicators for the Vermont City Marathon (VCM) in May. The Marathon is the largest single amateur radio operating event in Vermont. In a typical event, some 45 amateur operators will provide communications support for 8,000 runners and 2,000 volunteers. These amateurs also preside over the movement of scores of runners to medical facilities. To put it another way: 2% of all the hams in Vermont are involved in this!
However, staffing is getting tough. Many of the VCM volunteers who have been doing this for a long time are moving on to other things. Recruitment has not kept up and the result was that we were seriously short handed last year. We were able to move people around and cover the course, but it was difficult at best. We need new operators!
Why do this? For me, it is a real rush and a load of fun. More importantly, we are providing our unique brand of assistance for many people. And finally, we get to show the entire community what we can do and why we are important.
The VCM is actually three races in one. There is a standard 26.1 mile Marathon, in addition to a 2– and a 3– to 5–person relay race along the same course. The logistics of staging at the relay exchange points are staggering. In addition, wheelchair racers have been added as well. All of these participants need fluids and other supplies. The first job we tackle is in the supply business. On hot race days, water disappears at an alarming rate and it is a full time job to make sure the supply is where it is needed. Many runners also need some type of medical attention. Each water station is equipped with a medical station. For acute injuries, we call on various types of vehicles to move injured runners to the medical facilities or even to the hospital. Amateur operators are in the medical facilities, at the checkpoints and several are circulating around the course on bicycles looking for situations. We must use bicycles because a third of the course is on the Burlington Bikeway and is inaccessible to cars or trucks.
A unique aspect of the VCM is that certain parts of the course, namely the Burlington Beltline, must be cleared of all Marathon activity by a set time. This means we identify the stragglers, warn them of being shut down and eventually the VCM Course Director pulls them off the course. By 10:30, all people and runners are removed from the Beltline and traffic starts flowing. Each year, it is an amazing set of logistics to pull this off.
If you are interested in participating, there are details you need to know. VCM is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day, which is May 25th this year. Many potential operators have other plans on this holiday weekend, making the recruitment job that much more difficult. Most of the jobs start around 7:00 in the morning, which means that you will have to figure in your travel time to Burlington to get on post. The jobs end between noon and 2:00 PM, which does allow for other activities after the event, assuming you are not too tired. The weather on race day can vary from downright frosty with a nasty Northwest wind off the lake to hot and humid. The “layered look” is not a fashion statement, but a reality for course operators who are outside. In addition, you will need to be entirely self- contained, meaning you bring whatever food or drink you require, since these items may or may not be available. And of course, you will need your radio, headphones, batteries, connectors and whatever else.
Operators are required to have a ham radio license and an appropriate 2-meter radio with CTCSS capability. Course operators use handhelds, while vehicle operators use mobiles. All operators are strongly encouraged to have a spare battery, or better yet, a spare radio. Equipment failures are rampant!
For all this effort, you will get an official VCM tee-shirt, an invite to the post race party, invaluable training in public service operations, and all the bragging rights you care to grab.
I need to have a list of operators for the Marathon … in early April. Things get crazy in May and we need to have our staffing sewn up by then.
Are you interested in joining this intrepid group of amateur operators? Contact Mitch W1SJ as soon as possible: 
or 879-6589.
