Ruidoso, NM — July 12, 2026
The Rotary Club of Ruidoso showed up in force to help power thousands of athletes through one of the toughest tests in endurance sports, staffing a hydration and snack station along the Ironman 70.3 course as part of a volunteer effort hundreds strong.
Ruidoso hosted the triathlon July 11–12, drawing competitors from around the world for a race that combined a 1.2-mile swim in Grindstone Lake, a 56-mile bike leg, and a 13.1-mile run finishing in Midtown. The event demanded months of planning and, on race day, hundreds of local volunteers working in tandem to keep athletes safe, hydrated, and moving.
Rotary's station, located near Fox Cave in Ruidoso Downs, became a lifeline for riders working through the bike leg in warm weekend temperatures. Eighteen club members, joined by friends and family, handed out water and snacks and cheered competitors on as they passed.
Race director Shane Asbury said volunteer turnout built momentum as race day approached. "Just like anything, it builds up once people [know more about the event]," he said. "I think it started picking up at the end. The word started getting out, and we started really picking up. I think we'll hit our goal of 700 volunteers for sure."
Rotary was one of several local organizations that stepped up, alongside the Evening Lions Club, Walmart, the Ruidoso Midtown Association, and Downshift — a lineup that reflects how deeply the event relied on community infrastructure rather than paid staff. Individuals across the area pitched in everywhere from competitor check-in to bottle-filling to race-day station coverage.
Rotary service chairwoman and hydration station captain Katie Kmetz said the club was glad to play its part. "Our club was proud to participate as volunteers at the Ironman triathlon, where we staffed a bike aid station and supported athletes as they pushed themselves through one of the most challenging endurance events in the world," she said. "It was an inspiring experience to encourage competitors from around the globe, witness their determination, and play a small but meaningful role in helping them reach the finish line."
Beyond the race itself, the Ironman brought a significant economic boost to Ruidoso, filling hotels and local businesses with visitors from across the country and beyond — a reminder of how volunteer-powered events can ripple well past race day.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Ruidoso or get involved in future community projects, contact Sean Chaffin at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.