
I have been a HMRRC member for several decades, providing the opportunity to interface with the club in multiple ways. Initially, my focus was on running/racing and working to improve as a runner. After participating in club and external events for a while I realized that none of them would be possible without the efforts of all the dedicated volunteers that make these events possible. At that point I started to volunteer and came to understand that, while participating in events is fun and challenging, volunteering also provides a sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s also a great way to meet other club members and learn about the amount of work involved in organizing any running event.
Over the years I have been a participant, race volunteer, director of smaller events and co-director of the CDPHP WTC. In 2023, long-time director Mark Warner retired from his post, bestowing me with the honor of director for 2024 (and beyond). Working with Mark as co-director, and as director for this year’s event, truly opened my eyes to the level of partnership and volunteerism that is required to successfully operate these events. It’s been said many times before, but I’ll say it again – it would be impossible to put on any event without the assistance of race coordinators, partners and volunteers.
Because volunteers/partners are so critical to the success of our events it’s important that we, as club members, work to promote the club when the opportunity arises and also spread the word regarding the need for volunteers for all running events, not just the club sponsored events.
To that end me and Maureen Cox, who directs the HMRRC Marathon and Half-Marathon, were recently invited by Siena College Professor Adam Pfleegor to share our HMRRC experiences with his Sports’ Management class. It was very exciting and rewarding to present to and interact with this group of young adults, who hopefully represent future club members, participants, volunteers and race directors.
During our session we were able to provide the students with an overview of HMRRC and its history. We also shared several stories specific to our respective events that demonstrated the importance of having community and corporate partnership to create successful events, of having support teams to manage specific aspects of an event and of having volunteers to ensure participants have a great overall experience.
Most importantly, we were able to share with the students how HMRRC has utilized road racing to create a community and how, over the years, that community has developed programs and events that serve the entire Capital Region. This would include the HMRRC Just Run Program, the Bill Shrader Sr. Memorial Scholarships, the HMRRC Grant Program and other fundraising initiatives that have ties to certain HMRRC sponsored events such as the CDPHP WTC Charities of Choice program. (HMRRC Outreach)
In closing I offer two parting shots:
1) The next time you’re in a race make sure you thank the volunteers you pass along the way.
2) Take the time to volunteer. It provides a whole new perspective on road racing.