A crew, do not leave home without one!

I cannot emphasis how important a good crew is.
Meet mine: from left, Sandra and John Turner, my lovely wife Beth, Monica Scholz, Phil McColl and Geoff Linton.
You success depends on their success. A crew that does not pull together has led to many runners dropping out of the race.
This was the first race I have had a crew at.
I have absolutely no doubts I would not have finished the race or maybe even made it to the start line. During the course of the many hours it takes to run this little adventure they have to nurse-maid your every need. They must be there constantly handing you drinks and food. Reminding you to take your salt. Keeping you focused and it my case out of the front seat of the van when all you want to do is sleep.
My crew rotated shifts of three people on for 4-6 hours and then going to rest as the other three took over. It's a long hot race for them too! They need their rest! Grumpy crews make for upset runners!
The members of your crew have to understand they are there primarily to support you. But even before they do that they have to take care of themselves. They have to be healthy or risk becoming a liability to the runner and the success of the race.