From the Other Side of the Tape
Since I started running 6 years ago I have run many, many
races ranging in distance from 5 K – marathons. I’ve
lost track of the number of times I have been to packet pick up and the number
of finish lines I have crossed. I have
participated in races like the Marine Corps Marathon that run like clockwork and go
off without a hitch. I have also run
races, like last year's Hot Chocolate 15K here in DC, that can only be described
as disasters.
All of these races, good
and bad, have one thing in common ... a legion of volunteers. I have always been
sure to thank the volunteers knowing that, without them, none of these events
would have happened. I'm also sure to give a
special thanks to the law enforcement, and sometimes military, that keep the
races safe. The one thing I have not
done, however, is volunteer myself. That all changed tonight.
Earlier this year I got an email that I really hoped would
come:
Dear Marlene,
Congratulations! You have been accepted
into the 2012-2013 Pacers Events and Pacers Running Stores Ambassador Program!
Your active lifestyle, your winning personality, your passion and
your enthusiasm for all you do -- YOU embody what Pacers stands for. We are
excited to have you as part of a select group of key influencers and are proud
to have you represent Pacers in our community.
We have lots of exciting things planned
for this year... so prepare yourself for loads of great races, super fun
volunteer opportunities, and loads of memorable celebrations!
I was ecstatic. Pacers is an area running store. Pacers is the place where I had my first real
evaluation to find the right running shoe when I started running. In addition to their awesome stores, where I
have happily spent time and money, they also organize and put on a series
of local races. These races most
definitely fall into the well organized and run category. I ran my first DC area race last weekend, the
Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, proudly wearing a Pacers shirt.
As part of my “Ambassadorship” I am required to volunteer at a certain number of Pacers races. Tonight was my first.
I spent time at the on-site bib pick up. It was quite an experience. I showed up an hour and a half before the race and found my spot. We started off pretty slow but as race time
approached the crowds starting coming. There is nothing quite like having a large group of people all trying to get their bibs
before a race. It took myself and the 2
others helping at the station a little
bit of time to come up with a good system that allowed us to quickly find
people’s bibs. If a racer didn’t know
their bib number we had to direct them to lists posted next to us where they
could find it. Luckily we had another
volunteer standing just in front of the table telling people in advance to go
check for their bib number. Most people are really good about it, a very few
were not. We were still handing out bibs
as the announcer shot off the gun. All
in all it was great experience and I had
a great time. I hope all the racers who
picked up their bibs thought I was enthusiastic, helpful and nice!
The strange part came when I heard the gun go off, I saw the
large mass of people start moving and I wasn’t going with them. I have never actually witnessed the start of
a race that I was not participating in. Like
I said, strange feeling. I didn’t know
in advance we could volunteer and still be able to run so I hadn’t paid the
fee and didn’t have a bib. Some people said
to just go ahead and run, but if there is one thing I hate it’s race bandits!!! I wasn’t about to join the race. Instead I asked if there was anything else I
could help with and then I cheered on the runners as they began to come across
the finish line.
Tonight was the first of a series of 5Ks that are run every Friday
night in my neighborhood of Crystal City.
If you live in the DC area come join us.
You can register at http://pacersevents.com/race/crystal-run-5k-fridays/
. I plan on volunteering for the other 3
races in the series … but I will also be sure to sign up so I can join the race
after my volunteer duties are complete!
That is sooooo cool that you are a pacer!!!
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