As a volunteer (and runner), felt that was a little harsh. Anything in particular that made you feel like many of us didn't care about helping?
Even in what you quoted, you can see that even I felt it was harsh. But it was also my feeling.
The number of volunteers I saw staring off into space was astonishing. The person who got DS's bib *did not take his waiver*. When I realized this, I tried to find someone who would take the waiver without us having to go back downstairs, and no one cared at all, nor did they seem to comprehend why I would care. Well, I didn't, but I would think rundisney would! If he got hurt in some way that is absolutely rundisney's fault (like Darth Vader tripped him or something) and they realized that the volunteer didn't take his waiver, it wouldn't be pretty for anyone but our bank account.
I finally FINALLY found the info booth (people kept calling it different things, and mysteriously it was outside of the expo area) and 4 people just stared at me until 1 finally understood what I was talking about, and then very kindly offered to take it down for us, as we were turning to take it down. We must have asked 8 people, and 1 really got what we were saying, why we thought disney should be concerned, and even offered to help out.
During the run was when I experienced the string into space.
At the 5K security area, there were some people wearing full body, almost plush, costumes. There was a stormtrooper and maybe Capt Phasma, with body armor and layers and MASKS. I ended up seeing the latter two on the course, but I don't know if the other two got in. While someone was talking to them (all 4 were standing beyond the security area so at the time it looked like they were all being let through) I casually said "so much for no layered costumes" and the girl said "oh, are they not supposed to wear that sort of costume?" or something like that. ummm, yeahhhh, kind of a big deal change that security people should know about.
My volunteer experience was at WDW and I fabulously got assigned to work alongside a big group from a retirement village, and they volunteer for all WDW rundisney events. They were experts, they cared, they knew what they were doing, and it was just miles from the majority of the people I interacted with.
I think it shouldn't offend a caring volunteer to hear that there were some uncaring volunteers out there. It's not harsh against you, it's harsh against the people I encountered. I'm sure there were some powerade/water giver-outers at the January 5K 2014 who were staring into space even as I worked hard. Wouldn't bother me to hear it.
the folks who helped me were fantastic at making sure I understood what to do with my bag check sticker, to get my picture taken 20 feet behind where I was standing, and where to continue on my packet pickup journey
That's awesome. Glad for you. Obviously, from the post I was responding to, not everyone helped runners figure out what to do about the challenge. No one explained our bag check sticker. There was one overzealous volunteer who kind of yelled at me that I was in the wrong place *as I was reading* the signs to see where I should go. I was 5 feet from his table, was looking above his head to where they have "Half", "10K", etc, and the shirt sizes, and I wasn't needing help at all, but that's great, go ahead and tell me I'm in the wrong place. (or maybe help the people closer to you and ignore the people reading the signs who don't need your help).
a lady came up to me and asked why we got that shirt...we explained it's part of the registration. She said she wasn't told to go upstairs or pick up her shirt or anything!
And there's another who wasn't helped properly. Poor lady.
Interesting. That was included in the training. I heard the volunteers say it countless times. Appreciate the feedback!
A diligent, paying-attention, volunteer will hear that in training. Someone doing it to get the free ticket or shirt or whatever won't hear it or won't remember it. Can't make people pay attention, can't make people retain it!
I really have to start bringing my chiropractor on trips with me. 
