Volunteering at Races is Awesome

Regardless if it is a marathon or a local 5K race, volunteers really make a race.  This is an article from the Frederick News Post in Frederick, Maryland before their local marathon.

Volunteering at the marathon: Priceless

Originally published May 02, 2010

By Gina Gallucci-White

News-Post Staff

Photo by Graham Cullen

Lou Hash, volunteering for Frederick County Special Olympics, takes a runner’s paperwork as his wife, Susan, left, helps out at the Frederick Marathon expo on Saturday at the fairgrounds.

 

They stand ready to hand out water and fruit or waiting at the finish line to distribute blankets.

On Saturday they spent hours getting runners registered and answering questions.

How much money do they make for all that hard work?

Nothing.

These are just some of the responsibilities taken on by the volunteers of the Frederick Marathon.

Between 500 and 600 people will volunteer their time from Friday to today, said Anne MacDonald, marathon volunteer coordinator. Most live locally and range in age from young children to people in their 60s.

"They are tremendous," she said. "Volunteers are at the forefront of any successful event. Volunteers are a huge part of making this a successful event."

Doug Terwilliger of Frederick has been volunteering at the marathon since its inception.

"I knew they needed volunteers," he said. "Since I don't like to run, this is the best way to contribute."

For several years, he has been the volunteer coordinator for the 17 water stops along the route. Each station will have 30 gallons of water. The festival has ordered more for this year because of the heat predicted for today.

His 12-year-old son, Brian, also joined him this year to volunteer.

They will be biking the course today ahead of the runners to make sure the water stops are ready.

Terwilliger started work for the marathon in February, working about five hours a week. The last three weeks, he has put in 10 to 15 hours each week.

Wade Atkins of Frederick was one of 50 volunteers from the Frederick Area Swim Team. He said it is rewarding to support other athletes and help support the community.

The group will donate 150 to 200 hours to the event, he said.

Atkins helped to register runners for the race on Saturday. Some came from Texas, Oklahoma and New Jersey.

"Frederick is making the running map," he said.

Pastor Dan Housam of the Summit Trace Church in Frederick will be doing a sunrise service today.

His church has shut down the past several years in order to help with the marathon Sundays. About 100 parishioners have given their time to the event.

"I think God instills in us the desire to serve and (the marathon is) a great opportunity," he said.

The church is responsible for three of the water stands during the race.

Lori Ferrell of Libertytown has also been volunteering since the first year.

"I thought it sounded like fun and I got hooked," she said. "I love meeting people and I love to talk."

She has done it for so many years she is now recognizing runners.

"It's fun to see the runners come back again," Ferrell said.

This year, she is one of the volunteer coordinators who helps to get helpers where they need to be.

"It's a quality event, and I like it," Ferrell said.