THEY float around in the background and don't get the credit they deserve, but little is known about how much work from volunteers goes on behind the scenes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
And it's all just because they enjoy doing it.
24-year-old Demi Gray said it was the influence of her boyfriend who competes in triathlons that encouraged her to do her first Ironman event at Port Macquarie on Sunday as a volunteer.
"He competes in triathlons, but he does shorter distances so he didn't compete at the weekend, but he told me to get involved," she said. "The best part about being a volunteer is having the opportunity to go out and support the athletes. It's also a good position to be at the finish line."
Demi said not only did volunteering enable people to get up close with the athletes, but it also allowed them to take in the atmosphere of the day.
"It's where all the action is and it's a good way to stay fit even though I should probably take some of my own advice."
She said she encouraged anyone who wanted to become a volunteer to do so.
"The best piece of advice I would give to anyone is to start off small and then work your way up because it's a really enjoyable day."
She said she was feeling inspired to participate in an Ironman event eventually, but didn't want to put a timeframe on it.
"I've just recently bought myself a bike so the bike leg would probably be my favourite, but I don't want to say what I prefer for sure because then I might get pressured," she laughed.
"I'll start doing smaller triathlons before going into Ironman events, but I'll at least have a good training partner."