Races Run On Volunteers

Thousands of runners unleash from the starting lines of Northwest Arkansas' major running races in just days.

Fayetteville's 38th annual Hogeye Marathon and Relays will be held March 30. The annual Bentonville Running Festival is the following weekend, April 5. Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in Rogers will be held April 26.

Each event offers different racing options, from a full marathon to relays to 1-mile fun runs. No matter the options, each event runs on the donated time and energy of volunteers, organizers said. They are still recruiting help.

"No race can survived without volunteers," said Tabby Holmes, Hogeye race director. "They're very, very important."

The Hogeye Marathon saw 1,900 participants in its last year's event, which included a marathon, half-marathon, 5K run and four-person relays. This year's registration numbers are down -- Holmes said she's hoping for 1,800 to participate.

The day's events need about 300 volunteers, but those numbers are down as well, Holmes said. She said she doesn't know how many volunteers are registered, but there are many holes that need to be filled.

"It's very concerning," she said.

Volunteers can choose where they want to work when they register online, but Holmes said the biggest need is to have people on the course. There are some zones that don't have anyone on them, she said.

Volunteers also get to choose what organization they want the financial equivalent of their hours to be donated to: Meals on Wheels, Jackson L. Graves Foundation, American Wheelchair Mission, Kendrick Fincher Hydration for Life, CareGivers United or Seven Hills Homeless Center.

Last year, $39,700 were given to those charities, Holmes said.

Jerry Bailey, an ultra runner, said he has volunteered for the last four years at Northwest Arkansas' only full marathon.

"As a runner, I want to return the favor to fellow runners," Bailey said.

He typically sticks to the water station near the Lake Fayetteville nature center, and will also provide runners with salty snacks.

Running races and training for them can be life events for some people, Bailey said. Runners are often excited about the training they've done in preparation, he said, adding he's seen people loose 20 to 100 pounds training.

"There's nothing better than the feeling of volunteering," he said. "There's not a better feeling than making someone's day just a little bit better."

The Bentonville Running Festival could also use more volunteers, said Mike Rush, race director.

The festival consists of a half-marathon, relay, 5k and fun run.

Race organizers expect more than 3,000 people to participate this year. Volunteers are needed to help coordinate traffic, run aid stations, direct runners on the course and hand out medals. Volunteers are also needed April 4 to help set up vendor booths and pass out packets at the expo.

"It just takes an entire community effort, which is great because the community has shown up in force (in past years)," Rush said.

Just more than 100 volunteers are registered, and Rush said he would like to see at least another 50.

The Bentonville Running Festival also relies on community members to cheer on runners. People come out in costume, make drinks for runners and hold outdoor karaoke, Rush said.

"I call them volunteers because they're part of the race," he said.

Even the Grim Reaper cheers runners on from the hill top near Crystal Bridges, which is toward the end of the course.

"That's where people want to die," Rush said with a laugh. He said he doesn't know who was underneath the costume.

Without them, "then it's just not that festive environment that we've had each year," he said. "Your race is only as good as your volunteers are."

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Rogers had 10,000 participants last year, and organizers are expecting 12,000-15,000 this year.

"It's all volunteer driven," said Mary Alfrey, executive director.

Between 400 and 500 volunteers are needed. The University of Arkansas Zeta Tau Alpha students send about 100 of them, she said.

Race for the Cure race day is different than most races, Alfrey said.

"It's more than just a race. It's more than just a fundraiser," she said. "It's a celebration of survivors."

There is always need for more volunteers, even if its not related to Race for the Cure. Volunteers are needed to serve on committees and assist with office work, Alfrey said.

"We can always use more help," she said.

NW News on 03/15/2014