Volunteering at Races: My Experience

Something every runner should experience is volunteering at a race. I know, I know how fun can it be watching people run by you, well the answer is a lot.

 

Lets discuss. Back in April one week before my first marathon I volunteered to be a century at the SweetH20 50k. It took place in Sweetwater Park and I had to lug a cooler and 2 chairs down "Jack's Hill" to get to our "post." Why coolers, why chairs? Well, cause its an ultra marathon and the course was open for 9 hours which means (to me at least) that I was going to stay there until the last runner and sweeper gave me the OK to move on. No man or woman left behind!

 

Once I set up post with the Bird we chilled at for a little. Actually we huddled together trying to find sunlight. Our post was in a valley like area where the sun was just beginning to touch are faces so we were cold!

 

About 30 minutes into our hypothermic state we began to see runners. They came from the right and we had to call them to cross the bridge. Honestly, soon as we saw them we would jump up and scream and cheer for them like nuts. I mean HELLO they were running a 50k that's about 31 miles and we aren't talking flat land. I kinda felt bad as once they passed up they were running into hell. They knew that of course when they signed up but they were faced what it called "The Top of The World" this little beauty consists of a 1,000 foot elevation increase. Its hardcore...

 

I tried to take photos of everyone that crossed the bridge before they went to the top of the world because I knew they felt good and looked fresh.

 

 

I was taking phots with an Ipad so they weren't wonderful or anything but you can tell by all the their faces how excited they were and that made it worth it for me as corny as that sounds.

 

After they ran up the top of the world they ran right back down it...wooo. They returned down one of the prettiest paths ever.

 

 

 

 

Um, they just powered through an elevation increase of 1,000 feet and look how pumped they still were.

Unbelievable.

 

So this race consisted of a double loop, and out and back so they had to do it again. They kept us on our feet as there was always a runner in sight and not once did we sit down if we saw a runner.

They deserve a standing ovation :)

 

At the second loop one woman probably my age had some stellar leg pain. We could tell by her face and asked her if she was ok. She told us she felt her leg muscles pulling at her knee. The Byrd immediately jumped in and offered one of her  seductive sports massages. The woman sat in one of our chairs and you could just see her whole body relax.

Before you knew it she was back on the course.

 

Oh, I forgot to mention they also had to cross a large creek. Like they cross by holding tight on to a rope. Well, one woman asked how much further until the next water stop because she lost her bottle due to the rapids. So thank goodness for the cooler we offered her our water to make sure she was comfortable over the next three miles.

Again, it felt good to help a fellow runner!

 

Honestly, the 9 hours we were out there flew by. You have no idea how inspiring it was until you see these runners. I fed off their energy and dedication. How can you not?!

 

After the second loop almost every single runner thanked us for cheering them on and supporting us. It was in all honesty a pleasure and honor to do so!

 

Its something I think every runner should experience. It's just good for the running soul.

 

 

 

Have you ever volunteered at a race?

What was your experience like watching?

Were you inspired by the runners?