This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette.
STATE COLLEGE — Though the athletes who competed in this year’s Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley were the stars of the show, the spotlight shown on them would not have been possible without the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time and talents to make the event a success.
“Bringing an event like the Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon to life would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers,” said Eric Engelbarts, executive director of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance. “Their commitment is a crucial part of hosting such significant events, showcasing the power of community and collective effort.”
This year’s Ironman had over 550 volunteers, who covered a range of tasks, from registering racers to helping them transition from water to bike, and more. State Rep. Paul Takac, who has formerly competed in multiple Ironman competitions, shared with The Centre County Gazette how volunteers are the lifeblood of Ironman events.
“It’s a tremendous undertaking. One of the greatest things to witness is to see how the community comes together to support the athletes and their families,” Takac said. “I make it a point when I’m participating in those races to thank every volunteer for making it the experience that it is.”
Via the Ironman website, volunteers could register for different positions and times of day to assist with the event.
For Billi Hoover and Tiara Snare, who worked as registration volunteers giving t-shirts to the competitors, being involved was a unique experience.
I chose to get involved because I wanted to support the athletes and be part of an inspiring community event,” Snare said. “Participating in this role allowed me to connect with individuals who embody dedication and determination, and it was fulfilling to contribute to the success of such a wonderful event.”
Hoover noted how great it was to connect with the competitors and other volunteers.
“It was a great experience to see how they set up and how the beginning part works for the race. It was great to see how many people volunteered to help make this race happen,” Hoover said.
This year marked the second out of a three-year contract to host the Ironman event in Happy Valley. Those interested in participating in the 2025 event can find more information at ironman.com/im703-pennsylvania.
