Volunteering for the NYC Half (aka So...Why Did I Agree to Do This Again?)

Brett S

The day of the NYC Half Marathon began with my alarm clock going off at 4:30 AM with the sole purpose of getting me out of bed and out the door, leaving the warmth of my apartment to venture out into the darkness and freezing cold temperatures outside.  I waited 10 minutes to get on the 6 train that dropped me off at an eerily quiet and calm Canal Street in the wee hours of the morning.

I left the station and made the lonely walk along Canal, passing the occasional bystander and hungry people walking in and out of Dunkin' Donuts, warming themselves with a hot cup of coffee. After a few more minutes, it was good to see the other Flyers huddled along the Westside Highway waiting for the supplies to come off the truck so we could get started unpacking the boxes, filling up pitchers of water and mixing the secret Gatorade formula.

The Calm Before the Storm:
Flyers Setting Up

I was waiting for the temperatures to warm up after sunrise as it has in past years, but it was not to be this time.  We were pouring the water into the rows of cups as quickly as possible before the wind blew them away, the streets were getting slippery, and jagged chunks of ice began to form within the water as well as on Paul N’s jacket.  

Paul N Clears Water Table
But Some Cups Stayed Stuck by Ice!

It was cold outside, to say the least.  Even before the race started, everyone’s hands were wet, their toes numb, and their heads covered with anything warm that they could get their hands on.  At that point I began to realize that I've been standing in the dark, having already been up for at least two hours on a Sunday, as the inevitable thought of "why am I doing this?” once again creeps into my head. 

The answer becomes clear when the lead vehicles come toward us and the first runner passes by the tables.  All of a sudden the numbness in your feet and the chill that has encompassed your body doesn’t really matter as much as it did ten minutes ago.  Your adrenaline is pumping and you can’t wait for the mass of runners to flow past you.  You realize that you have the best seat in the house to see world class runners battle it out using what seems like no effort at all, you get to play the role of cheering on and helping out your fellow teammates and runners, as well as give back to the community that has helped and encouraged you so much along the way.  It's a feeling you can't understand unless you are there.  Bands and music playing, hi-fiving, lifelong dreams being fulfilled and challenges being knocked down- it's just awesome. There is nothing like it. 

Serving, Sweeping and Smiling

You are there to be part of the experience –– you don’t need to be running the race to be an integral part of it.  The participants are only one part of the race.   Just because you are injured, not training for a race, don’t have any current goals on the calendar, or see your motivation waning, doesn’t mean that you can’t be part of the action.  In order for the race to run smoothly, the runners need the volunteers to help set up, serve the runners' needs, and provide friendly encouragement and support.  

It is inspiring to see other runners up close digging deep down to reach their goal or push past their struggles, with many of the runners helping other people realize their own dream or making someone else’s come true by raising money for a charity that is important to them –– we saw many ranging from Somaly Mam (go Deanna C!), Team in Training, Team for Kids, Team Fox, Athletes to End Alzheimer’s (go Brian H!), and many other worthy causes –– or being a guide or coach for someone who needs it.   

Runners are a special, cohesive community, with a sense of camaraderie that is not felt by many other groups, and whether you are running or volunteering, each person knows what the other is going through and appreciates the effort put forth on both sides of the table.  The volunteer is there to pick someone up when they hit a rough patch and put a smile on their face when they need it the most.  All morning, the runners had to push through the frigid temperatures and avoid swallowing ice chips, yet one after the other took the one or two seconds necessary to thank the volunteers who handed them their water or Gatorade.  We could see their appreciation for all that we were doing for them through their waves and the smiles that came over their faces. That’s what makes it all worth it and helps answer the question as to what I and all the other volunteers were doing there, freezing our butts off, when we could have easily been sleeping in the warmth of our own beds. 

I have been volunteering at the NYC Marathon and Half Marathon every year since I became a Flyer and I never get tired of seeing people's reactions when I scream their name or encourage them to stay strong and keep going.  It helps keep me motivated when I have hit a lull and reminds me that being a part of a running community is just as much about helping others and giving back as it is about our own goals.  No one can do it alone.

Mark R, Debbie P and
Flyer Hydration Station Co-Captain Meg  B

Laurie H and
Flyer Prez/Hydration Station Co-Captain Alan G

Congrats to all who competed (click HERE to see Flyer race results) and thanks to all the volunteers who made the event run so smoothly.  Special thanks go out to our Leprechaun Liquid Hydration Station captains Alan G and Meg B and to all of the other Flyers who were out there and made it such a fun and fulfilling day for me and the runners. Many thanks to our MVP Laurie H and a shout-out to Ed A as together we made a lean, mean and efficient cup filling machine.  And thank you Meredith J for making me laugh as we yelled and cheered for any runner that had any phrase whatsoever on their shirt!

- Brett S.