Volunteering at a Race

I have so many thoughts in my head about this, and I have to go to bed for tomorrow’s race, but I wanted to say a few words first! I am volunteering at Zooma Amelia Island, which has had some weather issues. The RD and her staff are amazing people who just want to put on a good race! The weather caused some issues with morning yoga and packet pick up, and it made a lot of the prep near impossible. They managed to get the 5k done tonight, with modifications for safety, and I was impressed with the way they handled everything! This is no easy job!
My challenge for any runners who have never volunteered at a race is this:
No more complaints until you have volunteered at a race. Whether you hand out medals, work a water stop, do packet pick up, whatever it is, just do it. I promise you one thing: you will never complain about a race again.
The amount of work that goes into a race is mind boggling and I’m not sure how this crew does it again and again all year!
I stuffed bags and worked packet pick up for six hours last night and this morning I unwrapped medals for about 3 hours and I am exhausted!
Take my challenge; it will change your life!
Pics from today’s very wet volunteering: