Casino Niagara International Marathon and Half-Marathon
Sunday, October 26, 2003Volunteer report from Deb...
Date: Sun Oct 26, 2003
Subject: Casino Niagara report
No no no...I did not run a second marathon just one week after Columbus (5:07:35 according to my Polar monitor). I did, however, volunteer to help out with the Bike Patrol for the Casino Niagara marathon. Bryan and I had a great time, in spite of the rain. We started out BEFORE the runners, to insure that there was proper traffic control at the major intersections in Buffalo; there wasn't. We stayed behind where we needed to help out. Bry and I ended up at a very busy traffic circle. I am constantly amazed by the audacity of drivers. One guy SAW the traffic being redirected, so he went the WRONG way around the circle, and slipped into the middle of the runners. I took off after him, and ALMOST caught him before Jack, another runner from the local Fleet Feet marathon group, forcibly stopped him by stepping pointedly in front of his vehicle with an orange flag. Even then, I could see that Jack was arguing with the guy through the windshield. I had similar confrontations with other drivers who didn't want to go a block out of their way to get to church. Later, after a particularly heated series of gestures between an irate driver and me, repeatedly pointing where he was to drive, a driver opened his window to say that when he ran his next race, he hoped that I would be working on traffic control!
Bry and I biked the entire route, which is a point to point course. We stopped, in true Penguin style, for coffee and a doughnut at Tim Hortons 8-1/2 miles into the race. That gave runners a chance to catch up again; by the time we got back on the course, we were right behind the last runner.
In spite of the rain, it was fun. Bry handed out Sharkies, while I biked along, distracting runners from their aches by asking things like "Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon?" (It's a line from a mustard ad that was considered popular here in the states). I also assured participants that the world's BEST gatorade was rumored to be served at the next waterstop, and that they'd have to let me know if the rumors were true.
We saw one wheel-chair racer being helped off the course...I also helped contact help for a runner who hurt her back at the half-way point. That was hard, as it was her first marathon, and she sounded discouraged. I dearly hope that she returns to race again. There was a couple there who were ready to drive her to the med tent at the finish; she was already in their van when I got there.
By the end of the race, I was chilled, and glad for the cup of hot coffee and the bran muffin I received from the volunteer tent. Bryan and I could have waited around for the Volunteers' Post Race party, but we were wet to the bone; I couldn't see us standing around, shivering, for a few slices of pizza and some wings. So, we biked another 11 to 12 miles to Grand Island, where we were able to warm up with hot soaks and get dressed into dry clothes at my apartment. Later, after some pizza and Gatorade, we headed out in my truck to pick up Bryan's car from the race start.
Was it worth it? You bet! Without volunteers, these races wouldn't happen! Our own Grand
Poobah, Glenn, would agree with that, I'm sure! So many of the Toronto Penguins are regular
volunteers, and for that, I thank you! There's an amazing number of runners who never volunteer, yet complain when a traffic circle isn't covered. Helping hands and eager hearts make the difference between a running event where things go awry, and a race which people love and come back for, year after year. Want proof? Go volunteer...work registration, marshal an intersection, hand out water, be part of bike patrol, hand out food, medals, and solar blankets at the finish line. All of these jobs are necessary, and they all make a difference for the runners.Run on, my friends...
Deb
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