RacingThePlanet

WORK/PROJECT: RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013 - A rewarding volunteering experience

This year SEEDS will take part in a unique assignment. SEEDS has partnered up with RacingThePlanet, an organiser of the 4 Deserts, world’s leading rough-country endurance footrace series. RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013 is the sixth edition of RacingThePlanet’s annual Roving Race that follows the same format as the 4 Deserts series; it is a 250 kilometer / 155 mile, six-stage, seven-day, self-supported rough-country footrace located in southwest of Iceland. Approximately 300 competitors from more than 50 countries are represented as well as a group of international staff and volunteers.  The race will start some hours drive from the capital Reykjavik in Kerlingarfjöll between the Vatnajökull and Langjökull glaciers. The course takes participants through rugged volcanic scenery to finish in the Blue Lagoon surrounded my mineral rich blue waters.

 Main tasks for SEEDS volunteers:

• Volunteers will help prepare for the run each day

•         Set up camp sites for 300 competitors and staff 

•         Will distribute event information to participants

•         Helps distribute water and Warm water

•         Help the runners to dry their cloths

•         Warm water for the runners and staff

•         Will help in the communications tent 

•         Help to set up starting line and the end goal each day

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors, and need to be flexible and motivated to work in all the diverse tasks connected with the project. This is a highly physical project, with a high probability of rainy and windy weather. This is a task that is suitable for those who are used to working outdoors. We ask SEEDS volunteers to bring warm mountain clothes, overcoats, scarves, gloves, hats and warm shoes. Volunteers will receive the official event outdoor clothing from 66°North.

*Please note that there will be no days off during the race and volunteers will work every day with untraditional hours.

ACCOMMODATION:  SEEDS Volunteers will stay for their first night on Wednesday 31st of July at SEEDS accommodation in Reykjavik. In the morning of Thursday 1st of August volunteers will meet the event team and start the training. Volunteers will be taken to the first camp where they start preparing for the race and set up the camp site. Volunteers are moving in 4X4 jeeps and buses with the race up to the highlands, sleeping in tented accommodation throughout the event, like the rest of the staff and runners. Please bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mattress. On the last day the 10th of August all volunteers are invited to the Awards Banquet in Reykjavik where accommodation is also provided. Volunteers are free to leave any time on 11 August. Volunteers will receive mountain dry food. Hot water is provided at all camps. Do not forget some traditional food from your country to share on you journey.

LOCATION: The 250-kilometer/155-mile course starts in the highlands between Iceland's largest glacier Vatnajokull and Langjokull. Volunteers & competitors will encounter much of the iconic Icelandic scenery with a wide range of colourful landscapes along the way. This includes waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields, lava cliffs, black sand beaches, hot springs and geothermal areas with bubbling mud. The terrain will include rocky lava fields, jeep tracks, single track trails, dust roads, grass fields, soft sand, wet sand, rolling hills, hard lava cliffs as well as some river crossings.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; we ask for a minimum of basic level of English.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 2oo (Euros).  To be paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic Krónur.

AGE: 21+