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There are quite a few moving parts to supporting the race but there are 4 primary roles that need to be filled by the Plain 100 support team.
Radio operator at the command post
Documentation at the command post
Staffing a checkpoint
Chefs for Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast
The radio operators at command work in shifts and are responsible to track checkpoint status (when staff arrive and depart from a checkpoint) and relay runner times to the documentation person. Occasionally, it will be necessary to help the checkpoint team and "docs" synchronize all the runner times to ensure everyone has accurate information. It will also be necessary to track the status of any dropped runners to ensure they are in good health and don't need urgent assistance. The radio equipment and antennas are all setup Friday afternoon so the station is tested and ready for operations before race start at 5am Saturday.
Documentation at command is done via an Excel spreadsheet and Android tablets. As runner information comes in, it needs to be entered into Excel. Checkpoints that have Internet can take their tablets with them so that update can happen in the field. If there is no Internet service available at the sites, the tablet will remain at command and the docs person will need to update that as well. As the checkpoint awaits the last few runners, it is a good idea to also confirm the final runners with the checkpoint to ensure no one has been missed. Additionally, we have maintained a "scrum board" with all the runners as they pass checkpoints. This provides a convenient glance at how many runners remain before a checkpoint can close and who they are. If they arrive significantly out of sequence, that can indicate a problem (or simply someone resting). An individual checkpoint won't know the runner sequence at the previous checkpoint so it's helpful to let them know so they can question incoming runners about the status of overdue runners.
The checkpoint teams are present to account for all the runners, call in times and render any aid necessary - for those that drop. The race is "unsupported", meaning we can't provide anything to runners on the course except taking their trash. The terrain is challenging for both the runners and communications. There are only a couple repeaters that work at all and those are not ideally located for the course. Support team members must navigate over unimproved roads and operate independently for long periods of time. Checkpoint teams are given a tub with some supplies (first aid, blankets, etc.) and are welcome to augment with anything else. Teams are encouraged to coordinate between members for the best possible experience in the field (shelter, food, radio equipment, entertainment, etc.). Runners that drop should receive any assistance available. Generally, this means a warm blanket and a place to nap.
On Friday, the chefs prepare a full home-made dinner for approximately 125 people, centered around home-made Lasagnas (beef/sausage, vegetarian, and white chicken) and pulled pork with salads, sides, and desserts. Much of it needs to be sourced and made ahead of time, so even if you can't attend the event, you can help in the kitchen! On Friday, we start at approximately noon, prepping food in the kitchen and SAR food truck - the industrial kitchen at the Wenatchee Rec Club has 2 full stoves with ovens, lots of cooking/heating appliances, and lots of counter space. The food truck has 3 ovens and a massive griddle-top, between the two we have sufficient refrigerator and freezer space. Two people familiar with the food truck and its peculiarities will be assigned out there.
In addition to these roles, there are plenty of other tasks that need to be done; setup/tear down command docs and radios, setup/clean up Wenatchee Rec Club and running errands for supplies and staff. We ask that staff be available for these other tasks whenever possible.
There are more details about each of the positions available at the nav bar.
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