Race Ambassador for MLK DAY 5K Drum Run/Walk

This weekend I volunteered as a Race Day Ambassador for the MLK DAY 5K Drum Run/Walk in Atlanta. Earlier in the month I was looking for a MLK volunteer opportunity. About a week ago my fitness coordinator sent out info for the Drum Run and I snagged a volunteer spot.

It was a cooooold start to the day there was still frost on the ground when I arrived. My day started at 6:30AM; My volunteer shift started at 8AM but if you have ever tried to find parking near Piedmont Park you know why I got started so early. I registered and met with our volunteer coordinator Herman.

As an ambassador I helped direct runners to registration and helped distribute shirts at the end of the race.

Volunteers and Runners at the registration tent at Park Tavern.

I was impressed by how many runners were in attendance. 

Even "Batton Bob" was spotted along the race route (middle left photo)

The vision of the Drum Run is "to foster fellowship and fitness in celebration of the Beloved Community that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned".  Some of the things that make the Drum Run unique:

• A portion of your teams registration is donated back to the organization to assist in community projects
• A diverse group of runners
• Babies and Dogs welcomed
• Beautiful route through Piedmont Park
• The drummers! 

The race is in its 4th year and continues to grow each year.

The highlight of the race was the drummers. 

Drum lines from local schools were distributed along the race route and formed the finish line for the runners. Post race I was able to watch a drum battle between 4 schools. These kids are so talented!

I really enjoyed giving back to the fitness community and working with some great people. I look forward to participating again next year.

How are you celebrating MLK Day?
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Health and Happiness,
L

#IAmAFitGk

Barista for a Day at the ATC Resolution Run

I started off the New Year volunteering my time with the Atlanta Track Club.

Once upon a time I was an avid runner: 5Ks for fun, 10Ks, Half Marathons, and a Marathon. When I trained for my first 1/2 I trained with the Track Club. So now that I have more free time I want to give back to my fitness community. That's why I decided to volunteer for ATC's first race of the year "The Resolution Run".

About a month ago I got the idea to volunteer with ATC so I hopped on their website and chose a race to work. I contacted their volunteer coordinator Caryn and she got me registered for a volunteer shift New Years Day. It was that simple.

7AM arrived and I made my way down to the race site. 

8:30AM feels bright and early on New Years Day. I signed in, awaited my assignment, and was excited to learn that volunteers got a free race day shirt too!

I was assigned pre/post race fluids. This wound up being an awesome assignment. The Velvet Cup was onsite with pre/post race coffee and hot chocolate. Kim, the owner, was really nice. We talked for a bit and she and her partner have been serving up mobile coffee for about 3 years. They are based in North Carolina and The majority of their business is outdoor music festivals. She decided to branch out and serve up hot beverages for runners and volunteers at the race.

Her truck was a hit! Free hot beverages on a cold day, just what a runner needs while they are waiting for awards. Pre-race a few people grabbed a sip, but post-race we were slammed! Even Caryn jumped in to help the line move a lil faster. According to the MC there were over 100 volunteers and 1700 registered runners; I think we we got to meet and serve up coffee or cocoa to nearly all of them.

Everyone was very appreciative, and the coffe was really good. I take my coffee straight and this was smooth and tummy friendly; A definite plus for runners.

I had a great time and definitely plan to volunteer again. I signed up for the volunteer newsletter so I can get reminders about upcoming opportunities. So if you are running any Atlanta Track Club races, look for me I might be in the background volunteering my time.

How did you kick off the New Year? Comment below.

Health and Happiness,

Larissa