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Volunteers a vital part of News and Sentinel races

By Douglass Huxley 4 min read

PARKERSBURG - A lot of work goes into organizing and making sure a citywide race runs smoothly.

More than 500 volunteers each year do much of the work for The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two-Mile Race.

This year is no different, according to Race Director Art Smith.

"We're like any large community event, volunteers are the glue that holds the event together," Smith said. "I'm extremely thankful people are willing to give up their Saturday morning, the third weekend in August, to come down and help stage an event that is really a show piece of the City of Parkersburg. It's a show piece because of the efforts and attitudes of all the people involved."

The races are scheduled the morning of Aug. 19.

Smith said everyone who works on race day is a volunteer and every participant comes in contact with dozens of volunteers. It is important for racers to have a positive experience with each, he said.

Eric Braniff, a volunteer with Highmark Health, said the company has from 10 to 15 volunteers each year and that they begin recruiting volunteers two to three months ahead of the race.

"We have a small, but reliable group of repeat volunteers and a great corporate communications team that help us get the word out for new volunteers each year" Braniff said.

The Highmark group of volunteers work the packet pickup event for the Half Marathon and the Two-Mile Race.

"Our volunteers assist runners and walkers with directions, picking up their race bibs, getting their packets containing shirts and sponsor information, assisting with same day race registration, among other tasks," Braniff said.

Highmark encourages employees to be involved in the community and to volunteer when possible, Braniff said. As a sponsor, Highmark is proud to have volunteer representation at the race, he said.

"Highmark has been providing volunteers for The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon for several years," Braniff said. "Our volunteers really look forward to the race each year, which is evident by the fact that we have a consistent group of volunteers that keep returning year after year. We appreciate the Parkersburg News and Sentinel for bringing this race to our community each year and we are proud to sponsor it."

Susan Abdella, a volunteer who works the finish line for the race, said her group has around 12 volunteers and that part of their responsibilities is to put the flags and banners up for the race sponsors.

"Highmark has a bunch of flags they put out about good health," Abdella said. "We make sure all the sponsor banners are out and everyone gets recognized for their efforts."

Abdella said the finish line is an intricate part of the race. She said they help with the Cool Zone where runners can cool off after the 13.1 mile race, distribute cooling towels, water and medals to runners as they cross the finish line and assist the on-hand medical crew.

"If someone is in distress, we can point them out," Abdella said. "And then one of their medical people will put them in a wheelchair and take them down to the medical tent so they can get the appropriate care, and if need be, be taken on to the hospital."

She said it was important for all the volunteers to work together to make sure things run smoothly. She said everyone "just clicks" and works well together.

"We have a really good cooperative team," Abdella said. "We work together very well, we talk to each other a lot, just to make sure everyone has everything they need to have a successful and safe race."

Volunteers are an indispensable part of the entire race, Smith said. Without them, there wouldn't be a race, he said.

"We're pushing people out onto public highways for 13.1 miles and there's a lot of coordination that takes place," Smith said. "Without the volunteers in the equation, it just wouldn't be possible."

The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two-Mile begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 19 on Market Street. The race will conclude at noon with an award presentation at St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com

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