AUBURN - Every year there are hundreds of runners, cyclists, canoers and kayakers who go out for the Great Race, and this year is no exception with well over 530 teams already signed up.
Chris Colleluori / The Citizen
Great Race volunteers Joe Charles, right, and Don Ryan pack a bag for racers at the Auburn YMCA on Thursday night.
Great Race volunteers Joe Charles, right, and Don Ryan pack a bag for racers at the Auburn YMCA on Thursday night.
While these athletes are the most prominent figures in the race, it is the people behind the scenes that make it all run so smoothly.
According to race director Marty Keough this year there are nearly 700 volunteers who are all giving their time to take care of everything from the little details to the big picture.
"They are involved in various aspects," Keough said. "From food preparation, registration to the people in the medical tent. We have a good core of volunteers."
One organization has volunteered with the race so long its efforts have become a tradition.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians has spent every Saturday before the race for at least the last 20 years making sandwiches for the athletes competing.
"There are usually between 20 and 30 people here," long-time volunteer Jim Prancsak said. "It is great to have so many, we always have a good response. And it is a great feeling after it is over to see that we have done something for the community."
Keough said like the Hibernians, there are a number of other volunteers who have become a reliable and important fixture over the past 28 years.
"'Just say where to be and we'll be there, we wouldn't miss it' is what most people say," Keough said. "They always show up and attend to what needs to be done. Certain volunteers are key and others that come in are new and the veterans take them under their wing and show them what to do and what not to do."
Among the veteran volunteers who spent Thursday night at the YMCA stuff ing the bags that all the race teams will need for the race, was Marianne Mendzef.
For 28 years Mendzef has been doing her part both on the course and off it.
"It is about loyalty to my community," Mendzef said. "And it is something I take pride in. It is a delight just to see the looks on people's faces when they cross the finish line. That is really what brings me back. It is a good time."
But even with dedicated veterans there is always room for rookies, many of which are competitors in the race who are taking the opportunity to help keep up the quality of the event.
"I've been in the Great Race for a few years," Brian Dautrich said. "It is fun to get to see how it is all put together and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Some aspects of the race are handled by local authorities like the Auburn Police Department, State Troopers and County Sheriffs that deal with keeping the streets safe during the race, whose help along with park services has become invaluable.
"We couldn't do this race with out the help of the fire department and all three police agencies," Keough said. "Along with the people at Emerson Park they really bend over backwards for us."
Auburn traffic coordinator Tom Weed has been lending his services for nine years.
"There are a lot of volunteer traffic coordinators," Weed said. "And with the help of uniformed police officers they help the runners get through the course. It has really worked out well for all of us."
Also crucial to the well being of the race has been the medical tent, which takes care of everything from minor cuts and scrapes to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
"We knew from the beginning that if we got enough people together things were going to happen," race committee member Jim Hanley said. "So from the beginning we knew we were going to need a hand."
Along with the help of Dr. Anthony Graceffo and a number of nurses and EMTs, the race was able to establish the medical tent to see to the needs of the athletes.
"I noticed they didn't have much medical assistance," said Graceffo, who has been volunteering his time since 1981. "So with Al Hastings we got something together. Since then it has grown from a relatively small tent to a very coordinated group that is run very smoothly."
Graceffo, who ran in the race from 1980 to 1999 said he has been glad to lend his support and skills for all of these years.
"It is just a wonderful event," he said. "It is wonderful for the whole community and all of the athletes just to go to the lake and have a good day after the race."
Ultimately, Keough said, these volunteers are the people that make the race possible and keep the quality at a level people have come to expect.
"This race wouldn't be possible without the great number and caliber of volunteers we have," Keough said. "They know what they are expected to do and they do what is asked of them. They are here for as long as we need them to help and they make the race possible."
According to race director Marty Keough this year there are nearly 700 volunteers who are all giving their time to take care of everything from the little details to the big picture.
"They are involved in various aspects," Keough said. "From food preparation, registration to the people in the medical tent. We have a good core of volunteers."
One organization has volunteered with the race so long its efforts have become a tradition.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians has spent every Saturday before the race for at least the last 20 years making sandwiches for the athletes competing.
"There are usually between 20 and 30 people here," long-time volunteer Jim Prancsak said. "It is great to have so many, we always have a good response. And it is a great feeling after it is over to see that we have done something for the community."
Keough said like the Hibernians, there are a number of other volunteers who have become a reliable and important fixture over the past 28 years.
"'Just say where to be and we'll be there, we wouldn't miss it' is what most people say," Keough said. "They always show up and attend to what needs to be done. Certain volunteers are key and others that come in are new and the veterans take them under their wing and show them what to do and what not to do."
Among the veteran volunteers who spent Thursday night at the YMCA stuff ing the bags that all the race teams will need for the race, was Marianne Mendzef.
For 28 years Mendzef has been doing her part both on the course and off it.
"It is about loyalty to my community," Mendzef said. "And it is something I take pride in. It is a delight just to see the looks on people's faces when they cross the finish line. That is really what brings me back. It is a good time."
But even with dedicated veterans there is always room for rookies, many of which are competitors in the race who are taking the opportunity to help keep up the quality of the event.
"I've been in the Great Race for a few years," Brian Dautrich said. "It is fun to get to see how it is all put together and I'm glad to be a part of it."
Some aspects of the race are handled by local authorities like the Auburn Police Department, State Troopers and County Sheriffs that deal with keeping the streets safe during the race, whose help along with park services has become invaluable.
"We couldn't do this race with out the help of the fire department and all three police agencies," Keough said. "Along with the people at Emerson Park they really bend over backwards for us."
Auburn traffic coordinator Tom Weed has been lending his services for nine years.
"There are a lot of volunteer traffic coordinators," Weed said. "And with the help of uniformed police officers they help the runners get through the course. It has really worked out well for all of us."
Also crucial to the well being of the race has been the medical tent, which takes care of everything from minor cuts and scrapes to heat exhaustion and dehydration.
"We knew from the beginning that if we got enough people together things were going to happen," race committee member Jim Hanley said. "So from the beginning we knew we were going to need a hand."
Along with the help of Dr. Anthony Graceffo and a number of nurses and EMTs, the race was able to establish the medical tent to see to the needs of the athletes.
"I noticed they didn't have much medical assistance," said Graceffo, who has been volunteering his time since 1981. "So with Al Hastings we got something together. Since then it has grown from a relatively small tent to a very coordinated group that is run very smoothly."
Graceffo, who ran in the race from 1980 to 1999 said he has been glad to lend his support and skills for all of these years.
"It is just a wonderful event," he said. "It is wonderful for the whole community and all of the athletes just to go to the lake and have a good day after the race."
Ultimately, Keough said, these volunteers are the people that make the race possible and keep the quality at a level people have come to expect.
"This race wouldn't be possible without the great number and caliber of volunteers we have," Keough said. "They know what they are expected to do and they do what is asked of them. They are here for as long as we need them to help and they make the race possible."
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