UTLTRA TOUR OF ARRAN
VOLUNTEER GUIDE
WELCOME TO ARRAN
The countdown is on until we are stood back in the shadow of Goat Fell ready for another action-packed weekend on the Isle of Arran! We are beyond excited to have you onboard the volunteer team for this event and it is never lost on us here at RRHQ just how much events like this need hi-vis heroes like you to make our adventures a success so first of all, a huge thank-you!
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This is a general guide to volunteering with us at the Ultra Tour of Arran and aims to give you all the key information to ensure you are prepared and have a great time!
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For specific details relating to your individual shift times, dates, location, point of contact and volunteer incentive package, please refer to the email you have been sent as this is tailored specifically to you.
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Information time...
IMPORTANT
If for whatever reason, you are unable to attend the shift you have signed up for, it is vital you get in touch with us to let us know as soon as possible to give us the best chances of re-filling your position and limiting gaps in crew. ​
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ACTIONS REQUIRED:
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Must be completed by 31st March.
Must be completed by 18th April.
KEY INFO
Please refer to your 1 month to go email for details of your specific shift date, time, meeting location and point of contact, however, below provides a general overview for what to expect during the event and key info to ensure you are fully prepared for a weekend in hi-vis!
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KEY LOCATIONS
Event Village & Registration: Ormidale Park A841, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8DL.
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EEI
The participant Essential Event Information Guide can be found HERE. We would highly recommend taking a few minutes to read through this document so you are familiar with the event, timings and in general all things Arran!
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PARKING
You can park at the mainland ferry port and travel as a foot passenger as the Brodick ferry terminal is only a 5 minute walk to the Event Village. Or if you are bringing a vehicle over to the island there are plenty of local parking options along Broderick Promenade.
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There is no parking available at the Event Village/Registration, this is reserved for race crew and medics only.
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CAMPING
If you wish to camp with us over the weekend, our camp site is at the same location as the Event Village and Registration - Ormidale Park A841, Brodick, Isle of Arran KA27 8DL.
Camping passes are free for volunteers and can be collected from registration. Showers and toilets are available for campers at the Sports Association Hall in the event village.
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You will need to provide your own tent and camping equipment. Please note that campervans/tent box vehicles etc are not permitted on site, however, there are lots of local spots nearby where you can stay overnight but please do come with a plan!
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Alternatively, if you do not wish to camp there are lots of local hotels/bnbs you can enjoy at your own cost.
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SIGNING IN
Before beginning your volunteer shift, you will need to report to your shift point of contact where you will sign in and be issued with a hi-vis. Please ensure this is worn at all times so all of our UTA #ratracers know you are here to help! Your specific point of contact can be found in your 1 month to go email.
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If you are not volunteering on Friday, we would still love to see you and check in ahead of the weekend. If you are able to, please do pop in to the Event Village on the Friday and say hi, if you make yourself known to Katy (our volunteer manager) she will be more than happy to see you and answer any questions you may have too!
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PITSTOP RUN INFO
If you are part of the pitstop team over the weekend, your 1 month to go email will contain details of your shift location, time and point of contact. If you do not have your own transport and need to hop into a crew vehicle, this is no problem at all but please email us at staffing@ratrace.com so we can let you know what time to meet at the Event Village so you can hop in a vehicle!
If you are travelling in your own vehicle, please do familiarise yourself with the pitstop location before setting off as signal is limited en route to some of the locations. All of the pitstops are easy to find but do just bare in mind, your signal/internet may drop on your way so sat navs may be unreliable.
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The pitstop locations are as follows:
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Pitstop 1 - Saturday: Whiting Bay Hall Isle of Arran KA27 8QH
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Pitstop 2 - Saturday: Kildonan Hall Isle of Arran KA27 8SD
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Pitstop 3 - Saturday: Monamore Forest Car park Isle of Arran KA27 8NQ
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Pitstop 1 - Sunday: Lochranza Distillery Isle of Arran KA27 8HL
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Pitstop 2 - Sunday: North Glen Sannox Isle of Arran KA27 8JD
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North Sannox picnic spot. Sannox North Picnic Spot. Google pin HERE.
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TOILETS
Please see below on where to expect toilets along the course:​
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Event Village: Toilets available
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Start line: Public toilets available
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Saturday Pit Stop 1: Toilets available
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Saturday Pit Stop 2: Toilets available
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Saturday Pit Stop 3: No toilets
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Sunday Pit Stop 1: Toilets available
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Sunday Pit Stop 2: No toilets (there is a public toilet just after the Pit Stop which you will be able to use)
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FOOD & SNACKS
For those based in the Event Village, there is a small kitchen on site where facilities will be available for you to make hot drinks and fill up water bottles. Tea & coffee will be supplied as well as some biscuits etc but do bring your own snacks too if you wish.
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Lunch is not provided but there is a co-op a 2 minute walk from the Event Village as well as a great bakery (Woollies of Arran), pizza place, ice cream shop and more just a stones throw from the EV so the biggest challenge will be deciding! You can either bring food with you or go out and get this on your break.
For those based at the Pitstops, you will be able utilise the pitstop facilities (these differ upon location) and keep those energy levels topped up with a few of the pitstop snacks. Some of the pitstop locations are quite remote so do ensure you bring all your food for the day with you including something more substantial for lunch.
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Do remember to stay hydrated, it is easy to neglect yourself whilst being busy helping others!
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CLOTHING
No matter your shift, you should regard this as an outdoor role so pleased come prepared for all weathers. Whilst the volunteer roles differ all have the potential for you to be outside in the elements at some point so the best way to not get caught out is to come prepped! This means plenty of warm and waterproof layers but we have also had glorious sunshine and snow in previous years so do keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly.
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PERSONAL BELONGINGS
We do not recommend you bring valuables at all, but if you must, always keep them on your person as Rat Race cannot take any responsibility for any items left, lost, damaged or stolen on site.
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MEDICAL
Please ensure you are carrying any personal medication/equipment that you may need throughout the day.
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£50 TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
We understand the cost of travel can sometimes be an obstacle to volunteering so we offer an additional £50 travel contribution (paid after the event with your £5 refund) per person, per event. We aim to get this paid to you within 10 working days from the last day of the event. In order for us to process these refunds, we require you to provide your payment details HERE before you attend the event.
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REG & RUN
If you are signed up to a Reg & Run shift, you should have now received a link to pay for your discounted entry. Once you have paid this, please get in touch via staffing@ratrace.com so we can issue you a code to enter the event officially.
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We have a great, friendly Facebook group where you can meet other volunteers and arrange car sharing to minimise your personal expense. You can join the Facebook group HERE.
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ANY QUESTIONS?
That's all for now folks! We can't wait to see you in Scotland. If you have any queries/questions between now and the event, please do get in touch via staffing@ratrace.com
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See you soon!
The Volunteer Team
IMPORTANT
If for whatever reason, you are unable to attend the shift you have signed up for, it is vital you get in touch with us to let us know as soon as possible to give us the best chances of re-filling your position and limiting gaps in crew. We completely understand that plans change and life sometimes gets in the way but we cannot stress the importance enough of please getting in touch with us as soon as possible if you find out you are unable to make your shift. Sadly, any on the day no shows risk being unable to volunteer for us in the future.