These are the locations on the Challenge route that need volunteers. Important: You may volunteer at a checkpoint for less than the entire time. For instance, you can be a Recorder at the finish from 2 PM to 5 PM.
| Location | Miles Out | Open Time | Close Time |
|---|
North Park-Harrison Hills Park Shuttle (map)
| Supervisor | Steve Mentzer 412-512-4544 |
| Traffic Marshal | Joel Platt |
| Traffic Marshal | Mark Eyerman |
| Traffic Marshal | Jerry Hoffman |
| Radio Operator | Roger Blood KF3EN |
|
| 4:00 AM | 4:45 AM |
Harrison Hills Park Registration (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Dewaine Beard 412-719-9904 |
| Checker | Susan Claus |
| Checker | |
| Checker | Jennifer Taylor |
| Checker | John Stehle |
| Checker | MaryAnne Stallworth |
| Registrar | Cam Baker |
| Data Entry | Kara Newmeyer |
| Recorder | Andrea Shymatta |
| Recorder | Ben Primis |
| Traffic Marshal (park entrance) | Sara Nemmer |
| Traffic Marshal (horse farm east gate) | Susie Shages |
| Traffic Marshal (horse farm west gate) | Danielle Ripper |
| Trail Sweep (6:30 AM-) | Lee Wagner |
| Trail Sweep (6:30 AM-) | Rachel Alker |
|
0.0 | 5:00 AM | 6:30 AM |
Bull Creek Road Checkpoint (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Joe Kostka 724-799-6290 |
| Recorder | Kelly Burgess |
| Recorder | Tom Nehrer |
| Recorder | Joel Platt |
| Aide | Christina Nehrer |
| Aide | |
| Aide | MaryAnne Stallworth |
| Aide | Denise Ropelewski |
| Aide | Eric Ripper |
| Aide | Tom Hultz |
| Water Marshal | John Kostka |
| Water Marshal | Jerry Heckathorn |
| Water Marshal | Jim Holloway |
| Water Marshal | Mike Dailey |
| Radio Operator | Doug Turner KB3QCG |
| Trail Sweep (9:30 AM-) | Amy Jones |
| Trail Sweep (9:30 AM-) | Katie Jones |
|
7.3 | 6:00 AM | 9:30 AM |
Agan Park Checkpoint (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Nate Twichell / Susan Gunter 412-389-3011 |
| Recorder | Sara Buyny-Brunazzi |
| Recorder | Russ Hoburg |
| Recorder | Debbie DeFazio |
| Aide | Patti Eckels |
| Aide | Emily Cagwin |
| Aide | Howard Ginsburg |
| Aide | Amy Royer |
| Water Marshal | Dwight Fox |
| Water Marshal | Ben Brucker |
| Radio Operator | Peggy Hoburg KB3RXG |
| Trail Sweep (12:30 PM-) | Howard Ginsburg |
| Trail Sweep (12:30 PM-) | Dave McConahy |
|
15.2 | 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
Log Cabin Road Checkpoint (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Ron Hannan 412-915-7082 |
| Recorder | Ceri Morgan |
| Recorder | Susie Shages |
| Recorder | Reanna Buzza |
| Aide | Joyce Appel |
| Aide | Meg Hannan |
| Aide | Tim Hagan |
| Aide | Sheri Buzza |
| Water Marshal | Bill Dietrich |
| Water Marshal | Paul Henry |
| Radio Operator | Linda Xenophontos KB3RXJ |
| Trail Sweep (3:30 PM-) | Debbie Smiga |
| Trail Sweep (3:30 PM-) | Dewaine Beard |
|
21.2 | 8:30 AM | 3:30 PM |
North Park-Springdale Shuttle (map)
| Supervisor | Steve Mentzer |
| Traffic Marshal | |
| Radio Operator | Pat Cancro NK3P |
|
| 8:40 AM | 9:20 AM |
Springdale High School (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Steve Mentzer 412-512-4544 |
| Checker | Carol Zellars |
| Checker | Meredith Colaizzi |
| Registrar | Kara Newmeyer |
| Recorder | David Schramm |
| Recorder | |
|
| 9:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
Shaffer Road Checkpoint (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Richard Cook 412-600-7547 |
| Recorder | Greg Toumey |
| Recorder | Jan Berg |
| Aide | Adrienne Cook |
| Aide | Brian Caskey |
| Aide | Rob Dubas |
| Aide | Rose Rice -3PM |
| Aide | Natalie Rice -3PM |
| Aide | Annmarie Rice -3PM |
| Water Marshal | Don Rice -3PM |
| Water Marshal | Mike Frere |
| Water Marshal | Michelle Wojnar |
| Radio Operator | Jerry Hoffman KB3QCC |
| Trail Sweep (6:00 PM-) | Jim Crist |
| Trail Sweep (6:00 PM-) | Tom Neff |
|
27.5 | 9:30 AM | 6:00 PM |
Hartwood Acres Park (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Jim Crist 412-613-8886 |
| Checker | |
| Recorder | Sara Nemmer |
| Recorder | |
| Spur Sweep (12:30 PM-) | Emma Crist |
| Spur Sweep (12:30 PM-) | Jim Crist |
|
| 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
Sample Road Aid Station (map)
| Aid Station Supervisor | Melissa Minyon |
| Aide | Brian Rupert |
| Water Marshal | Mike Dailey |
| Radio Operator | Pat Cancro NK3P |
|
| 12:30 PM | 3:15 PM |
North Park Finish/Cookout (map)
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Mary Steele 412-877-3323 |
| Recorder | JoAnn Davis -5PM |
| Recorder | Tom Bates |
| Recorder | Mary Bates |
| Announcer | Bernadette Thompson 4PM- |
| Announcer | Tiffany Small 11AM-4PM |
| Announcer | Mike Choma 7PM- |
| Shirt Distributor | Andrea Shymatta 4PM-6PM |
| Shirt Distributor | Carol Zellars |
| Shirt Distributor | Lola Crognale |
| Cook | Frank Russo |
| Cook | |
| Cook | MaryAnne Stallworth |
| Cook | Robert Habegger |
| Cook | Joyce McConahy |
| Aide | Sandy Wyke |
| Aide | Jennifer Taylor |
| Aide | Annie Brandt |
| Water Marshal | |
| Water Marshal | |
| Radio Operator | Joe Kostka KB3QCE |
| Radio Operator | |
|
35.7 | 11:30 AM | 9:30 PM |
At-Large
| Executive Director | Steve Mentzer 412-512-4544 |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Steve Mentzer |
| Photographer | Roger Blood |
| Photographer | Frank Siaca |
| Photographer | Dave McConahy |
| Reporter | |
| Field Director | Steve Mentzer KB3QCF |
| | Logistics Marshal | Don Erdeljac KB3QCA |
| | Communications Marshal | Bob Bastone WC3O |
| | Communications Marshal | Bob Bereit K3RMB |
| | Communications Marshal | John Italiano WA3KFS |
| | Tracking Marshal | |
|
| 5:00 AM | 9:30 PM |
These are the key roles that we need volunteers to fill.
| Role | Description | Responsibilities | Requirements | Reports To |
|---|
| Checker | Check-in participants at the start. | Ask the participant for their name, find the corresponding identification tag, hand it to the participant and tell them to pin it on their right side at waist level. Also inform them that they should memorize the number on the tag so they will know they've been properly scanned at each checkpoint when the Checkpoint Recorder calls out that number. | Ability to handle up to 100 participants. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Registrar | Register and collect money from participants at the start. | Have the participant fill out the entry form, collect the entry fee, record their name on the numbered list, find the corresponding identification tag, hand it to the participant and tell them to pin it on their right side at waist level. Also inform them that they should memorize the number on the tag so they will know they've been properly scanned at each checkpoint when the Checkpoint Recorder calls out that number. | Ability to handle money and make change for up to 50 participants. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Recorder | Scan the ID tag of arriving participants. | Hold the ID tag scanner within one inch of the participant's ID tag. | Ability to handle lots of people. Participants may arrive in large groups so you must be able to handle surges effectively. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Aide | Prepare food at the checkpoint. | Set out food, make sandwiches, fill drinks, replenish containers, clean up. | Ability to handle and dispense food and drink such as sandwiches, snack bars, pretzels, soda pop, Gatorade. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Radio Operator | Maintain communications with event officials. | Monitor radio and respond. Initiate calls for questions or support as needed by other volunteers at your location. | Two-meter band ham radio operator license. Radio equipment may be provided. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Water Marshal | Supply water to the checkpoint. | Continually monitor water supply at checkpoint. Replenish from nearby water source (location will be provided) as needed. | Ability to carry 6 gallon containers of water (weighing about 50 pounds), and have own vehicle capable of transporting the containers. (The water sources are usually within one mile of the checkpoint, round trip). | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Cook | Prepare food at cookout. | Grill hot dogs and hamburgers in bulk according to demand by participants. | Ability to cook meats properly for up to 600 people. Gas grills will be provided. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Announcer | Announce name and hometown of participants as they finish. | Ensure every finisher is announced. | Ability to read names on a laptop computer screen and enunciate. PA system and microphone will be provided. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Shirt Distributor | Hand out shirts to participants as they finish. | Ensure every finisher receives the shirt for their event in the size they requested in return for their tag. | Ability to read shirt sizes on a laptop computer screen. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Traffic Marshal | Direct vehicles and/or participants. | Direct vehicles to and from a parking area, or along the trail, advise participants of a change in the trail route. Collect names of participants who drop out. Potentially dispense limited food, water and supplies. Typically stationed at a particular spot for one to six hours. | Ability to give driving directions. Ability to read a map. | Field Director |
| Reporter/Photographer | Document the event in words and pictures. | Take photographs of participants during the Challenge and record their comments. Write a short story describing interesting, humorous and/or noteworthy incidents that occurred. | Ability to write in an entertaining and engaging style. Own a digital camera. Must turn in story and photos 72 hours after the event. | Executive Director |
| Checkpoint Supervisor | Open and close the checkpoint and manage checkpoint operations. | Set up the checkpoint with materials provided (food, water containers, canopy, first aid kit, etc.). Ensure all checkpoint personnel have what they need and know what to do. Be aware of participants that may need medical assistance and be prepared to call for medical help. Close the checkpoint, clean up and transfer equipment and remaining food to other checkpoints. | Ability to direct others with clear instructions and expectations. Know how to give driving directions to other checkpoints. Own a vehicle to transport food and equipment. Must remain at checkpoint until trail sweeps arrive and all participants are accounted for. | Field Director |
| Logistics Marshal | Transport food, ice, equipment and participant gear as needed. | Know what food and equipment exists and where it's located. Keep checkpoints stocked with ice. Transport items between checkpoints as needed. Pick up participant gear at registration and checkpoints and deliver to finish. Purchase any critical items if necessary. | Ability to carry heavy items. Large rental truck will be provided. Know how to quickly move between checkpoints, and the location of grocery and other stores. | Field Director |
| Volunteer Coordinator | Recruit and train volunteers. | Find volunteers to fill all positions listed here. Ensure each volunteer understands the responsiblities and can perform the required tasksWork with the Executive Director to develop specific work instructions for each position. Lead the two volunteer meetings in June. Keep in contact with the volunteers to ensure they will fulfill their commitment. Follow up after the event and solicit feedback and suggestions on ways to improve the experience. | Effective communications skills. Access to email. | Executive Director |
| Trail Sweep | Ensure participants are safe. | Follow behind participants between checkpoints. Make sure any stragglers are okay. Provide water and/or food if needed. Be aware of participants that may need medical assistance and be prepared to call for medical help. | Ability to hike 6-8 miles comfortably while carrying extra water and enery snacks. Own a cell phone or ham radio. Know how to give driving directions to checkpoints and various trail access points. First aid knowledge helpful. Final checkpoint sweeps must also carry flashlights. | Checkpoint Supervisor |
| Tracking Marshal | Deploy and maintain computers and systems to track participants on Challenge day. | Set up each checkpoint with a laptop and identification system to track participants. Ensure volunteers understand how to use it, and how to manually update the database. Ensure computers have adequate power available and the devices are protected from the elements. Replace malfunctioning devices as required. Be able to find out where any participant may be given their name or tracking number. | Understand the participant tracking system. Troubleshoot Windows laptops. Own a vehicle. | Field Director |
| Field Director | Supervise all operations and volunteers on Challenge day. | Continuously communicate with checkpoint supervisors and the logistics marshal to ensure all volunteers are in place and performing as expected. Deploy traffic marshals as needed to direct participants along sensitive areas and unanticipated route changes. Travel along the trail throughout the day and monitor participants and volunteers. Resolve problems that arise, including reallocating volunteer resources, equipment and supplies. | Ability to direct others with clear instructions and expectations. Know how to give driving directions to checkpoints and various trail access points. Own a vehicle. Be aware of participants that may need medical assistance and be prepared to call for medical help. | Executive Director |
Talk: "Hiking the Challenge"