Volunteers are needed for the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon from April 17-20 in Mission Bay. The world-class sports event will draw in 150 elite athletes and nearly 3,000 athletes to Mission Bay for the three-day competition. More than 1,000 volunteers will be needed before and during the event for a number of behind-the-scenes tasks, including professional athlete support, media support, transportation, packet pick-up staffing and more. Volunteers at the event will have the opportunity to join in on the action to support the world’s top professional triathletes and more than 2,000 aspiring amateur athletes from across the country. Additionally, volunteers will be rewarded with a memorable experience, a T-shirt, meals and an invitation to a post-race celebration with the athletes. Interested volunteers can sign up at www.sandiego.-triathlon.org/volunteer, or email Deborah Jones at [email protected]. Local merchants are also urged to get involved with the event through the Mission Beach Deals program, which invites local businesses to offer special deals on their goods or services during the competition, which will be advertised free by event organizers. Deals will be posted online at sandiego.triathlon.org, on social media, at the information desk at the event headquarters hotel and in a virtual race bag, which is sent to all participants the week before the event. “One of the main goals of the Mission Beach Deals program is to build on the interaction and cooperation with local businesses established in 2012,” said USA Triathlon spokesman John Martin. “Specifically, the aim is to involve local businesses in the event and connect them with our group of more than 2,000 participants and staff. “Through the Mission Beach Deals program, the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will continue to be accessible to the local community, making it successful for everyone, including local business,” he said. Deadline for inclusion in the virtual race bag is March 28. For more information, visit [email protected].