To the End

That phrase can mean so much to an ultra runner. To the end - to the finish line, the end of the race. To the end - to see the race to the final conclusion no matter if it’s the finish line or chasing cutoff. It also reflects the mindset of those last volunteers, the ones welcoming the back of the pack runners to the finish line. It’s a long day for the runners, but even longer for those tail end volunteers. But that is what we are there for! There is nothing more inspiring then watching runners reach the goals they’ve worked for for months. The cheers of the family, the tears from the runner. The front runners never see that, especially if they just cross the line and then head out for a shower. Even if there is an awards ceremony, all the attention is devoted to the athletes on the podium, not the athletes finishing at the same time. So the only people who are there for those finishers are the family and the volunteers waiting.

Volunteering is one of the things I want to do more in 2020 - I raced enough in 2019 that I need to give back. If you have time to race, you have time to volunteer and most races don’t happen without an army of volunteers. I haven’t yet given up my races to volunteer, but I have found that the pre or post race shifts are a good complement to racing. Course making before the race helps every other runner and provides a new window on how hard hanging all those flags really is. IF the race isn’t an A race, course marking also is a chance for some extra miles or cross training. Packet-pickup or similar pre-race volunteer shifts are another good way to help out while still being able to participate in the race. And for me, taking the later shift at the finish line is another good way to help. I can run hard, then return to see the final finishers. Another good way to help is have your friends and family volunteer while you run. They are going to be at the venue anyway - volunteering makes them a part of the race and gives them the satisfaction of helping runners reach their goals. If you aren’t planning on racing, then active shifts like course sweep will provide the ability to get some miles and still support the final racers. And there’s always need for aid station staff! Nothing like seeing and feeding the entire race for a fun, hard day! So there’s plenty of things to do and plenty of opportunities to help.

After I finished the 50k+ at the Razorback Running Revival, I returned to the finish line. I’d signed up for that final shift well before race weekend, before I knew how hard the 35 miles would be. It didn’t matter that I was a little late for my shift - the volunteers at the finish line were all waiting for their runners so they weren’t in a hurry to leave. But I was there, ready to see the race down to the bitter end. It was the 50k/50miler runners we were waiting for, so we were settled in for a very long evening. I had double layered pants, warm hat and gloves and my uber puffy from the van. I was ready for the cold that would come with the setting sun.

Almost full moon rising over Lake Fort Smith

At first it was quiet. The course was much harder then anyone anticipated - both with the terrain, technicality of the course and the bonus miles. There was a lot of sitting around, watching the course and waiting for runners, then moments of frenzied activity as multiple runners crossed the line. We needed to record the finish times, give the runner their finishers medal and the rest of the finishers swag. Then we needed to offer some food or drink. There wasn’t much food, but most of the runners weren’t ready to eat at all. It was a fairly low key finish line, even by HPRS standards. The arch loomed large against Lake Fort Smith, beckoning for the finishing runners. As darkness fell, the nearly full moon climbed above the hillsides, reflecting against the still water of the lake. With the humidity in the air, the temperature dropped quickly for the waiting volunteers and family members. I became a hot chocolate making machine for the finishing runners. Those brand new HPRS/Orange Mud bottles became a runners best friend as the night got colder and colder. With the darkness, we ere also able to see the approaching runner’s headlamps flickering among the trees. A sign of life in the rapidly quieting night. The numbers of runners left on course was rapidly dwindling until finally there were three remaining. As the final few of finish line volunteers, we were there until the last runners finished. However long that took. The cutoff time was well past, but we were still there, the arch still illuminated in the darkness. Then finally, headlamps in the darkness. The final runners appeared from the woods - three runners with two headlamps. No wonder it had taken so long! They were the most excited runners I’d seen all evening. Thrilled that we were still there, waiting and ecstatic that they had reached the end. They had conquered the distance, following the crushed line of leaves and white blazed through the darkness.

The finish line banner - a welcome sight for all runners

It was a long long evening, waiting for those last runners and then breaking down the finish line and packing up. But being the one to greet those last runners and putting their medals around their necks was worth every minute of waiting. Seeing the reactions of those runners when they reached the finish line was just as rewarding as my own personal success on the course.