Thursday Thoughts – Volunteering at Boston 2016

Volunteer jacket

Let me just say that volunteering at the Boston Marathon once again did not disappoint!

On Monday, I was lucky enough to be one of the 11,000 volunteers working the Marathon. This was my third year volunteering, and after not getting an assignment last year, I was psyched to be assigned to the finish area (previous assignments were in the Athlete’s Village in Hopkinton).

Water station My team manned the huge water station after the finish line. We got to cheer the wheelchair finishers and the elites before it was time to man our stations to greet the masses! I had illusions of being able to take lots of pictures, but the reality was once those runners started coming through it was a crazy flurry of activity.

The energy was amazing! I was blown away by how good some people looked as they came in, while others seriously worried me that I was going to have to put my CPR training to use – no joke. My team hooted and hollered and congratulated as many runners as possible. I joined some finishers in primal screams of celebration and received hugs from perfect strangers.  And, I really appreciated the number of people who thanked us for volunteering. While I missed some friends  in the chaos, I was lucky enough to catch up with Michele from NYC Running Mama and Sarah, aka SBS from Another Mother Runner!

My teammates were a fun bunch – some runners, but interestingly some were not – they all just loved this event and wanted to be apart of it. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say it was a great day, and I can’t wait to volunteer again next year!

Source: Boston.com

Source: Boston.com

Have you ever been a race volunteer?

Joining Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursdays Thinking-Out-Loud2

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Comments

  1. I bet it was an amazing experience – how cool to be assigned to the finish line. I try to thank the volunteers — if I can catch my breath enough!
    Coco recently posted…What Energizes You?My Profile

  2. I don’t know that I’ll ever run a marathon, but I’d seriously love to volunteer at one. I can only imagine how amazing the energy must be! 😀
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…obsessions, exercise lately, and the BEST cereal add-in (ToL#179)My Profile

  3. I can only imagine what an experience it was to volunteer. That is something I would love to do one day.

  4. That sounds like so much fun! I’ve volunteered at a ton of races, but always at packet pickup. I’d love to do a finish line volunteer shift someday!
    Kristen recently posted…The Tri Newbie Chronicles: Running 101My Profile

  5. I’ve been dying to know how your day went! So glad you enjoyed. So very cool to be at the finish! I volunteered at the Chicago Marathon a couple of times, the last time I was at the start line, way up in the elite corral, which was awesome, but yeah no way could I get any pics.
    Marcia recently posted…Emotional Jekyll & HydeMy Profile

  6. That sounds like such a cool experience! I worked the finish line at RnR a few years ago quite a different perspective
    Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…The Fit Foodie Race Weekend is Coming-Run with me GiveawayMy Profile

  7. Oh I bet volunteering in Boston has to be an amazing experience! I’ve volunteered for a race in the past, handing out water or helping with registration. It feels good to give back to the community, and you do get to meet some cool people!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Goals for the Broad Street RunMy Profile

  8. I have volunteered at GOTR events, but would love to do Boston! Sounds like you had a great day!
    AmyC recently posted…Full Body Workout and My First Feast DayMy Profile

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