1. CREWING FOR A CHAMPION
“True champions aren’t always the ones that win,
but those with the most guts”
Mia Hamm

2. WHAT DEFINES A CHAMPION?
• Going for the win
• Last place
• A PR
• First Ultra
• Just trying to finish
• Sometime into the race, character
will define the champions

3. A LITTLE ABOUT ME
• Trainer for the last 15 years
• Been running my whole life
• 2008 Brazil 135, 62:20
• Crewing
• 2006 Crewed Mario Lacerda, Brazil 135 RD at Brazil 135 and Badwater
• 2007 Crewed Valmir Nunes at Badwater, 1st place, 22:51, current record
• 2008 Crewed Ray Sanchez at Badwater
• 2009-11 Crewed Marcos Farinazzo at Badwater, 1st place 2009
• 2009 Trainer and crew for Lisa Tamati, Run through NZ, 2,250KM in 43 days
• 2011-Present Crewed Brian Recore and Iso Yucra in 7 Ultras including Badwater and
SD100.
• Training
• Personal Trainer (runners and horse riders)
• Trained Mario Lacerda, Iso Yucra

4. DIFFERENT RUNNERS AND RACES
• Runners
• Fast, slow, walkers, run/walk
• Male/Female
• Serious, chill, etc. Does that change into
the race
• Some are very organized, others not so
much
• Communication Skills - What language do
they speak?
• Customs and culture
• Races
• Road course, Trails, point to point, out and
back, 1 mile, 3 mile, 20 mile loop…..
• Heat, cold, mountains, rain….

5. CHOOSING THE RIGHT CREW
• Generally the runner chooses the crew
• Experience and Ability
• Specific skill, like
medical, organization, logistics, trainer,
massage, nutrition, etc.
• No sleep required
• As a runner, do you like them enough to
spend countless hours with them
• Will they fit in and get along with the
team
• Some races, teams are together for
days

6. CREW RESPONSIBILITIES
• ONE CHIEF, but as a crew, take control
• Lots of Type A personalities
• Put your personal differences and goals
aside, it’s all about the runner!
• Badwater jobs:
Driving, pacing, food, Water/drinks, Meds/s
upplements, ice, spray, log
book, pics/videos, DJ, logistics/pace, mass
age…..
• Be prepared to suffer
• Take care of yourself. Take care of each
other. Take care of the runner.
• Get to the finish line as fast as you
can, safely.
• Keep a positive environment

7. HAVE A PLAN AND KNOW IT
• Study the race
• The course, the rules, aid stations, etc.
• Know your runner
• What food does he/she like?
• Supplies
• Clothes
• Habits
• Keep a log
• Be flexible, improvise, and adapt

8. ORGANIZATION
• Logistics
• Navigation
• Put it back where it
belongs, everything has its place
• A few seconds to keep organized
saves time later
• Bins for different items

9. CHALLENGES OF CREWING
• Takes lots of patience
• CREW: Cranky Runner, Endless Waiting
• Races very emotional, RAW
• Highs and lows
• Don’t take anything personal, people will
say and do things they don’t mean
• You will be exhausted

10. ADVANTAGES OF BEING ON A CREW
• Recon a race, course
• Learn the behind the scenes
• Helps with applications for some races
(Badwater)
• Help a friend, family member
• For some, the races are life changing.
Runner and crew.
• Travel and new experiences
• A majority of expenses paid by runner

11. TRAINING
• What is your role going to be?
• Prepare/Train like you’re running
• Train w/runner if possible
• Badwater; heat
training, hydration, nutrition, elec
trolytes

12. WHAT CREWING MEANS TO ME
• I love the adventure, the people
and place
• If I’m not running, why not crew or
volunteer
• Going to battle for my runner, give
them everything I have
• Being part of something incredible
• I love to see the suffering, the
pain, and to see people dig down
deep and triumph
• Human Spirit at it’s best!

13. THE REWARD - FINISH
• Emotional
• Someone cries, always
• Party
• Most runners love beer
• You will be inspired
• Make lifelong friends and maybe
even meet your future spouse
• Very rarely a negative experience
for me

14. Have fun and be safe
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS