Marathons are held in many major cities across the United States, with thousands of athletes participating and even more spectators cheering them on from the sidelines. Most important, however, are the countless people who work behind the scenes to ensure that the race runs perfectly. Many do this as a volunteer effort to help their city out with one of the biggest events it can hold, and there are plenty of ways for BridgeUSA visitors to get involved!
Races are a great way for exchange visitors to experience American culture, meet people with similar interests, and enjoy the spirit of volunteering their time to a good cause. Visitors from ALL categories are welcome, from Secondary School Students through College/University Students & Scholars, Interns & Trainees, Specialists, Au Pairs, Physicians, Camp Counselors, Summer Work Travel, Teachers, and Professors!
The earlier volunteers sign up, the better, but they are always welcome! Ellen Brunet is the Ironman Volunteer Director for all North American events, and she has asked that you CC her when you reach out to local volunteer directors. She and the rest of the Ironman organization are very much looking forward to welcoming our exchange visitors!
Please see below for more information about the marathons being held in 2024:
● IMMEDIATE NEED: February 24-25: Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in Las Vegas, Nevada; contact Volunteer Director Laura Mercer at rnrlasvegas@ironmanvolunteers.com and follow this link to sign up to volunteer.
● March 15-17: Los Angeles Marathon in California: email tim@mccourtfoundation.org. In your email, please include that you are a BridgeUSA Sponsor Agency, your Sponsor Agency’s name, your estimated number of volunteers, your name, email, and cell phone number.
● March 16: Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in Washington, DC. Volunteer director: Katie Morrison: rnrwashingtondc@ironmanvolunteers.com.
● March 23: Marine Corps 17.75K in Virginia. Email mcmvolunteers@usmc-mccs.org.
● April 15: Boston Marathon in Massachusetts: Register as a volunteer with the Boston Athletic Association here (baa.org) by February 2.
● April 27-28: Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in Nashville. Volunteer director: Carly Ramsey: rnrnashville@ironmanvolunteers.com.
● May 3-5: Flying Pig Marathon Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fill out your group interest form: HERE. Contact POC: Lauren Burlile, Volunteer and Course Experience Coordinator, at Lauren@flyingpigmarathon.com.
● May 11: Ironman Panama City Beach in Florida. Sign up here (https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=74268) and email Ironman North America Volunteer Director Ellen Brunet at ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● May 19: Ironman Chattanooga in Tennessee: email Chattanooga Volunteer Director Alex Christensen at imchattanooga@ironmanvolunteers.com and Ironman North America Volunteer Director Ellen Brunet at ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
○ Ironman Morro Bay in California: email im70.3morrobay@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com
○ Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in Virginia: mcmvolunteers@usmc-mccs.org
● June 1: Ironman Kohala Coast in Hawaii: email kona@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● June 1-2: Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in San Diego. Contact Volunteer Director Christy LaLanne at rnrsandiego@ironmanvolunteers.com.
● June 8: Ironman Boulder in Colorado: email im70.3boulder@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● June 9: Ironman Cambridge in Maryland: email eagleman@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
○ Ironman Des Moines in Iowa: email DesMoines@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com
○ Ironman Springfield in Massachusetts: email im70.3mass@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com
● June 23: Ironman Coeur D’Alene in Idaho: email Volunteer Director Dani Zibell-Wolfe at imcoeurdalene@ironmanvolunteers.com and Ironman North America Volunteer Director Ellen Brunet at ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● June 30: Ironman Happy Valley in Pennsylvania: email im70.3penn@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● July 2-4: Atlanta Journal- Constitution Peachtree Road Race in Georgia: email volunteers@atlantatrackclub.org for sign up details.
● July 13: Ironman Muncie in Indiana: email muncie@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● July 14: Ironman Geneva in New York: email musselmanvol@ironman.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● July 21: Ironman Lake Placid in New York: email imlakeplacid@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
○ Ironman Sandusky in Ohio: email ohio70.3@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
○ Ironman Salem in Oregon: email im70.3oregon@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● July 28: Ironman Augusta in Maine: email maine70.3@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● August 18: Ironman Louisville in Kentucky: email Volunteer Director Taylor Haydock at im70.3louisville@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● September 7 & 8: Ironman Madison in Wisconsin: email imwisconsin@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● September 15: Ironman Santa Cruz in California: email santacruz@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
○ Ironman Frankfort in Michigan: email im70.3michigan@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● September 22: Ironman Tri-Cities in Washington: email Volunteer Director Jen Szabo at im70.3washington@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● September 28: Ironman Jones Beach in New York: email im70.3ny@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● September 29: Ironman Augusta in Georgia: email Volunteer Director Heather O’Brien at im70.3augusta@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● October 5-6: Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series in San Jose: Susan Reese volunteer director rnrsanjose@ironmanvolunteers.com
● October 6: Ironman Waco in Texas: email rockbridgerunner@gmail.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● October 13: Chicago Marathon in Illinois: click here to volunteer.
● October 19: Ironman Wilmington in North Carolina: email im70.3northcarolina@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● October 27: Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC: email mcmvolunteers@usmc-mccs.org)
● November 3: New York City Marathon in New York (Volunteer contact link coming later this summer)
● November 18-20: Philadelphia Marathon in Pennsylvania: follow this link for more information about volunteer opportunities.
● December 7-8: Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio: email Volunteer Director Tony Benke at tbenke@sanantoniosports.org
● December 8: Ironman Indian Wells-La Quinta in California: email Volunteer Director Alex Napier at im70.3iwlq@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
● December 15: Ironman Haines City in Florida: email Volunteer Director Jill Latimer at im70.3florida@ironmanvolunteers.com and ellen.brunet@ironman.com.
In addition, there are many more local races for you to check out if you’re unable to get to the ones listed above. Follow these links for more information:
● Running Race Finder: USA 2024
Let us know at bridgeusa@state.gov if you’ll be participating: we look forward to having you, and your help is always appreciated! If you have any questions or concerns, also feel free to contact us at any time at info@gravityintprog.com. Stay safe and healthy!
