VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND TIMES

Jobs that are not shaded are still available

All jobs are in the Marquette, MI area

Please note that when you volunteer all jobs are for the entire assigned time.

Click here to Volunteer

 

FRIDAY

VET CHECK   Friday morning  8am to 12pm (noon)

 We have openings for vet check.  This begins at 8am and will go until noon.  This is a fun activity as you assist the veterinarians in checking each and every dog (almost 900 dogs) to assure that they are healthy and fit to run the race.  If you sign up for this it is IMPERATIVE you commit to the entire time.  This is an individual sign up.  Groups can participate BUT they need to sign up individually. 

  

SET UP DOWNTOWN   Friday morning 10 am to 2pm

Most of you know that the Rugby team has been our standby to set up the starting gate; however, we STILL need additional volunteers to help with rest of set up: getting the barriers, and setting up the fencing and the barriers.  You may sign up as a group or as an individual.  This is a fun job and you get to see how a once snow-free downtown turns into a race track instantly. 

 

FINAL SET UP   Friday late afternoon (5pm ) until race start at 7:20pm

We need a handful of dedicated volunteers to put the fencing along the barriers once the roads are closed as well as help the coordinator ensure all final details are wrapped up.  This, too, can be an individual or group activitiy.

 

BAG CHECK  Friday evening 5:30pm to 6:30pm

We need 12 people who will break into teams of three to check the bags of the mushers to ensure they comply with the race rules and that they have all the required gear to run the race.  Individuals only please.  We will accommodate pairs if we can. 

 

CROWD CONTROL   5pm until the end of the start of the race (8:30pm)

We really need crowd control at the race.  This is an easier job than you think, and it has great perks.  Most of the volunteers get to stay INSIDE the fencing (chute) and prohibit the crowds from crossing the track at the wrong times, and help keep the crowd from bothering the dogs and mushers.  The “ring side seats” are the best, and this is one of the most important jobs out there.  There will be a mandatory meeting for orientation and job assignments about 2 hours before the race. 

 

DOG HANDLING  5:30 pm until end of the start of the race (8:30pm)

The dog handling positions, while coveted, are actually very difficult, physically, and also require a commitment to attend a training session prior to the race.  The UP200 has had many of the same handlers for years and typically, those positions do not open up often.  Only individuals can sign up for this, and once your request is submitted, you will be hearing from, and communicating with, the handling coordinator only. 

 

TAKE DOWN   end of the race (8:30 pm until finish, approx. 10pm)

We need help with cleanup.  Take down is a very easy and very quick activity.  It is NOT emptying garbage cans and picking up garbage.  It should only take about two hours at the end of the race and will still leave time to run down to a crossing or enjoy the rest of the festivities in downtown Marquette.  We are hoping one of our sports or fraternity groups will step up to the plate to do the gate take down but we still need people to unhook the fence, roll it up, and bring barricades to the trailer.  This activity is often done in conjunction with Crowd Control so please consider doing both.  Groups are encouraged as well as individuals. 

 

CROSSINGS   start of race (7pm) until all the dogs go through (depending on where you are at that can be until midnight - 12 am)

We need groups to help man the crossings.  This, by far, is the most fun of all the jobs.  Granted there are longer periods of time between dog teams, but this is where the fun is had.  The major responsibilities are to make sure the crowds don’t interfere with the dogs and the mushers, stop snowmobiles, and where necessary, automobile traffic while the dogs go through, and, again if necessary, form a human fence so the dogs stay on track.  There is access to burn barrels (courtesy of a dedicated volunteer) and this is the job that generates the most stories.  There are several crossings that need monitoring in Marquette and Harvey.   Remember if you do the Harvey crossings you will get dogs from BOTH the Midnight Run and the UP200 coming your way.  It is a GREAT way to cheer on the mushers and help the dogs stay safe.  Individuals are also encouraged to participate and you will be assigned crossings where we have a small number of people.  ALL crossings must have at least 2 people at them.  Unless we receive a specific request, the crossing will be assigned to you prior to the race.  You will receive notification as to where and further instructions one to two weeks prior to the race. PLEASE NOTE THAT TO DO A CROSSING YOU MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION.  These crossings are outside of the downtown area.  Do not sign up if you cannot get to the Harvey area.

 

SUNDAY

Please please please, consider volunteering on Sunday.  The excitement is at its highest on Friday night.  But, it is Sunday that we truly see the results of the race.  Of course, it’s fun to see the dogs go out and all the festivities that surround it.  But, it is on Sunday that the true athletes show us their stuff by finishing the grueling 200 plus mile race.  PLEASE consider volunteering for us on Sunday as we need you as much, if not more, for the finish of the race.  You will not be forgotten out there…in fact the mushers comment the most on the dedication of the volunteers on this day of all days. 

 

CROSSINGS   typically 12pm (noon) until midnight (12am)

The same crossings in Marquette and Harvey will need to be manned on Sunday.  This is NOT an all-day assignment unless you want it to be.  We recognize that the dogs come in waves and so the crossings (with burn barrels) will be broken into three increments of 4 hours each.  Additionally, the new rules of the race are that if any musher has not reached Deerton by a specific time then they cannot finish the race.  This insures that the crossings won’t need to be manned past midnight, typically. PLEASE consider taking a shift for these crossings.  Again, the mushers are extremely grateful and your impact will be felt more here than anywhere.  Groups and individuals are encouraged to participate.  We prefer to have 2 people per crossing. PLEASE NOTE THAT TO DO A CROSSING YOU MUST HAVE TRANSPORTATION.  These crossings are outside of the downtown area.  Do not sign up if you cannot get to the Harvey area.

 

BAG CHECK  4 hour shifts typically between 12pm (noon) until midnight (12 am)

This is a similar position to bag check prior to the race; however, we only need one or two volunteers per 4 hour shift.  These volunteers check the bags of the incoming mushers to assure that they still are carrying all the mandatory gear.  Individuals or pairs are encouraged to sign up.

 

 TIMERS  4 hour shifts typically 12pm (noon) until midnight (12am)

 We need timers in downtown Marquette (the lower harbor) for Sunday to help with the timing of the mushers as they arrive.  This is, again, broken into four increments, with the shortest period of time to volunteer being midday when we expect to see the majority of the mushers arrive into the harbor.  Individuals and pairs are encouraged to sign up.

 

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

If you are interested in any or all of the activities above but want to be closer to the dogs and are unafraid of odd hours then we can use your assistance in Deerton and Munising.  Deerton is the layover for the Midnight Run and needs help from 8pm Friday night until 8am Saturday morning.  Munising is a checkpoint for the UP200 and they handle dogs from 10 pm Friday night until 10 in the morning Saturday and then again roughly 10pm Saturday night until 10 am Sunday morning.  These are approximate times.  They are subject to change but help is always needed there.  Click on the Munising or Deerton link to sign up for those.  Both groups and individuals will have plenty of opportunities to contribute.  All of the above jobs are available at these checkpoints and help is very much needed.

 

Finally, if you are available on Saturday, the Jack Pine 30 needs volunteers.  If you click on that link, you can sign up to help them as well. 

 

Click here to Volunteer

 

  Website Hosted By

Northern Michigan University

College of Business

 

UPSDA MISSION: To promote the sled dog sport, educate the public about sled dog activities, and sponsor a continuous, mid-distance sled dog race in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.