OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Volunteers are needed for the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon.

The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, an event under the international IRONMAN event series, will be held on Aug. 27. The race begins in Old Orchard Beach at 6:20 a.m., with a 1.2 mile swim in the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a 56 mile bicycle ride through Saco, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Hollis, and Old Orchard Beach, then a run on the Eastern Trail, according to race information on the IRONMAN website.

While the race begins on Sunday, events begin Friday, Aug. 25, with an athlete briefing, bicycle tech services, information booth and other services, according to a tentative schedule on the Ironman website. 

The IRONMAN Village, the race headquarters for the weekend, will be set up at Veterans Memorial Park at 11 First St. in OId Orchard Beach.

Volunteer Coordinator Justin Chenette, who also works at the Journal Tribune as a digital advertising executive, said about 1,000 volunteers are needed for the event.

There are a variety of duties available throughout the whole weekend, including stuffing packets, checking in athletes, assisting athletes in peeling off wetsuits and handing out water. Kayakers are also needed to serve as directional guides.

IRONMAN is offering to donate $15 to a volunteer’s organization of choice in exchange for a four hour shift. Chenette said those interested should designate the organization they wish to benefit when signing up. Local nonprofits can recruit volunteers to the event, but others, such as businesses and school groups, can designate a local charity to help out.

“This is definitely very helpful for nonprofits, particularly local nonprofits who could use a boost,” said Chenette.

Chenette, who is also the director for the Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, said his organization has benefited from volunteers at the triathlon in previous years. He said he has volunteered in the past at a station set up at Grant Farm in Saco, handing out water and food to bicyclists as they whiz by. 

“It’s a fun experience. Four to five hours is really doable, and for us a couple hundred dollars is a lot of money,” he said.

Though there is a sign-up form online, Chenette suggests those interested in helping out call him at 590-3266 so volunteers can be best placed according to race need and volunteer availability. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.