Residents are being urged to put their best foot forward and volunteer for the upcoming Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia Triathlon on Sunday, May 6.
The event will see around 2000 Hastings locals gain an up close experience of the event as volunteers.
The support, encouragement and logistical assistance offered by our volunteer army is consistently praised by Ironman athletes from around Australia.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Manager Tourism and Events, Linda Hall, said the community spirit and the skill of our volunteers is one of the things that has made the event such a success in the Hastings over the last six years.
“Volunteers form an integral part of staging the Ironman event in Port Macquarie and it wouldn’t be possible without the enthusiasm of community organisations and individuals,” said Ms Hall.
Volunteers are coordinated by the Local Organising Committee who are themselves volunteers and, with the bike course now encompassing the Camden Haven, the need for volunteers, particularly to marshal intersections, has increased. Local community groups within the Camden Haven have rallied behind the event, with more than 100 volunteers already registering to be involved.
The Laurieton Men’s Shed, CAN Assist, Rural Fire Service Bonny Hills and North Haven and the Camden Haven Dragon Boats are just some of the organisations set to marshal over 50 locations from Bonny Hills to Dunbogan.
Ironman event owners World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) pay a donation per intersection that community organisations marshal and for Laurieton Men’s Shed and CAN Assist President, Robert Rule, this is one of the key motivators for his group.
“We believe this is a fantastic community event that will benefit our region and at the same time getting involved will help us to raise funds for our organisation,” said Mr Rule.
Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out about the types of volunteer roles available can register at www.ironmanaustralia.com.
“We may not all be endurance athletes but volunteering is a great way to have a personal experience of just how inspirational Ironman athletes are,” concluded Ms Hall.
