Corporate Challenge 2014

My mom and I volunteered for the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge again this year (I think this is about year 5 or 6 now).  The event is one of the largest, if not the largest, in our area every year.  The race directors, Dave and Ellen (owners of Fleet Feet here), do an amazing job with helping to organize and offer up a successful race for the Chase Corporation.

 There are about 4,000 people that participate in the event plus many others who come to support the runners.  The run is held on the RIT college campus (which is great since they have the space).  People can take a shuttle bus over from MCC (another college near by) as well to help with the flow of traffic.

 This is just some of the masses headed over to the start.  As you can tell the sky was overcast and it was actually quite cool out (about 60).  Great finish times were posted as a result of the conditions.  Other years it has been torrential downpours with lightning almost immediately after the majority of runners finished.  There have been years of crazy humidity and heat with many requiring medical attention.

I love volunteering for this event and my assigned position for this race.  My mom and I are finish line spotters.  That means that we get to hang out at the finish and grab one of the top finishers and escort them to the media tent.  After that we help to "push" people through the finish chute to keep the flow of traffic moving towards the bananas, water and MVP drink (Wegman's brand of electrolyte replacement beverage).  We cheer, encourage them to keep walking and not wait for friends to finish.  High fives are free!   As much as I love running I do have to say that it is nice to volunteer at races and give back to the community.