2003 LA Marathon
On Sunday, March 2, 2003, CERT members worked as volunteers at the LA Marathon. While we had the breakdowns you can expect from a last-minute assignment (the opportunity was
presented to us a little over a week before the event), we did a lot of different things for the runners and we learned a lot for next year!Here are some pictures and observations from some of the participants.
"I worked the 'late' shift at the 2003 LA Marathon and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As a CERT member, I was out amongst the people helping and making a difference. People came up to me and other CERT volunteers with respect. They treated us as others in a position of authority.
Not only did we gain respect for CERT among the public, we gained a sense of respect and responsibility among fellow CERT members and we all joined together to help the Marathon runners. There were many "Thank Yous' and big smiles as the runners and walkers crossed the finish line. In a daze, sure! But we called out their name and said "Congratulations, Kim", "Good Job Chuck".
Many folks had to be helped the last few feet to the Gatorade stand or to a person handing out foil blankets. We did make a difference!
For my own part, I helped a 70+ young lady back to her car. With her daughter's help, we walked (and walked) -- over 6 blocks to the hotel where they had parked. She made it to a chair in the lobby and finally relaxed.
Now for the Marathon after the Marathon. I was ready to work to 10pm if needed. About 8:30pm or so there were very few runners coming in. I was 1 block from the finish line and 4 runners were on the sidewalk freezing. I asked how I could help. They had parked their car 12 hours prior in SOME PARKING STRUCTURE, but they could not remember where. One of them was walking all around the area trying to remember/find the Parking Structure and their car. He just could not find it. I had an idea; these people were in dire straits and were simply freezing and tired. I gave them some charcoal hand-warmers and suggested that I could drive them to find their car. I did so.
One and one half hours later, we found their car. They were grateful and could finally go home and recover from the long day."
"All in all, it was an exhausting and tremendously rewarding morning. Though my hip and back got me to the point of exhaustion by 1:30, I know I could have lasted longer if I
had not had to do so much walking beforehand. But I still enjoy the memories of standing in the middle of the street, or running backwards to try to pass on a cup of water to an early fast
runner, catching their eye to see who wanted what I could give. But the most delightful memory comes from the fact that all through the day, almost every runner I dealt with, frowning, smiling,
serious, laughing, running, walking, straining or taking their ease, took one small moment to say thanks as they passed. Quite a feat after 16 miles."
"I had a blast at the marathon. I was at mile 11 with a whole lot of front runners. They made it a wonderful experience. I learned the ropes and the runners were cheered on
from the side lines. I also got outside help from little kids and their families that want to be a part of this great time in L.A."
"Around 4:30 when it started to get chilly, some CERT volunteers took it upon themselves to set up a table and bring over mylar blankets and boxes of Gatorbars and water so we
could get the runners covered up right away.
At 6:00 when the official finish line and medical area were broken down, we took over logging in the runners, removing chips, handing out medallions, mylar blankets, etc. Luckily it was a very
uneventful race: no emergencies or injuries or faintings; just a handful of exhausted runners for whom the EMS personnel took responsibility."
