Ham radio comms for remote 50k foot race

[zonk]

Yesterday was the 7th year I helped provide radio communications for a 50k foot race in mountainous terrain where there is no cell service. We keep track of all the runners' bib numbers and report them back to the race director to track the progress of the runners and make sure nobody is lost or injured. Additionally, we are able to call out for support in case there is an emergency or (more likely) an aid station is in need of supplies.

This year was the first time it ever rained on us, so that was an experience, but we were prepared enough and didn't get soaked (except for the poor guy who had to walk the trail at the end just to make sure nobody was there and any trash was cleaned up). Normally the biggest obstacle is freezing temperatures. Thankfully there were no complications with the race itself. A couple of the runners were starting to get hypothermic because of the rain cooling them down, but to my knowledge nobody ended up requiring medical attention. The aid station got them dried off and warmed up, and we called in a ride for them on the radio.

Our crew has a 90-foot portable antenna tower which is deployed at the top of a hill along with a repeater so that all the different aid stations can contact one another and the start/finish location with the race director. The first year we ever did it, we did not have the repeater, so there was one guy up on the hill relaying the messages between the stations, and we were the first crew to ever successfully establish communications for the race, which is why we continue to be invited back each year.

It's a very fun experience, and I try to recruit all the new local ham radio operators to help out. It's a great way to put those skills to use serving the community and make new friends!