2014 Marine Corps Marathon – October 26th
It’s that time of year again. Runners are counting down the weeks before the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 26th. Once again they will need Water Station #4 support from 50 Troop 149 volunteers. Water Station #4 is at the intersection of Rock Creek Parkway and Massachusetts Avenue. We will be at about the 8.5 mile mark where we will see runners going up Rock Creek Parkway and then back down. This is an excellent vantage point to watch the excitement unfold. Please sign up, Scouts and parents, as soon as possible – the deadline is August 31.
As always there will be doughnuts, bagels, and drinks. Liz Ludes and Steve Nichols are the coordinators. We will send information on logistics such as meeting location and travel details as we get closer to October 26. In the meantime, Contact Liz with questions at ealudes@aol.com.
Background information for those new to our Troop 149 Marine Corps Marathon SupportEvery year, Troop 149 volunteers to help out the Marines when they hold their annual marathon. The course starts and ends around the Iwo Jima Memorial and is primarily through the streets of DC near Georgetown, the Mall, Rock Creek Park and Hains Point. There are numerous water and energy snack stations throughout the course which are manned by Marines and volunteers. That's where we come in.
Not only is this an excellent service project which counts towards the required service hours, but this is an amazing and fun experience. The first participants you see are the "wheelchair" racers. The wheelchairs actually look more like bicycle-like machines. They're inspiring to see and remind us of the sacrifices and risks taken by our armed forces. Then the runners start showing up. Obviously, the leaders come first, then a steady flow of runners starts to appear, which eventually evolves into runners shoulder to shoulder filling all the Street. It's a madhouse full of noise and activity. And they are thirsty. There is always an interesting cross-section of people who run. There are dedicated and serious long distance runners and runners in costumes and goofy garb. There are lots of runners who are in the military and some carrying American flags.
Our traditional assigned station located on M Street in Georgetown was moved last year due to the change in the MCM course. Water Station #4 again this year is located along Rock Creek Pkwy at the grass median south of the Massachusetts Ave. ramps, on the southbound lanes.
Here's the basic itinerary: Meet at 6:30am (exact time and place TBA) and travel to the Water Station #4 location on Rock Creek Parkway. Our first job is to help set up tables, put cups on the tables and fill them up. As the runners come by we hold out the cups for them. There are a couple of methods for holding the cups so the runners can easily take them without spillage. Some folks prefer the two-finger pinching method, where you hold the rim of the cup gently. There's also the balancing-on-your-palm method, which is for the advanced scout or parent. Whatever works for you.
By about 10:30 or 11am, after the last of the runners come by, we help clean up around our station. Then we head back to Arlington.
I really hope you all consider joining us. Parents are welcome, as they are at all of our events.
Remember, breakfast of bagels and donuts will be provided.
Remember, breakfast of bagels and donuts will be provided.
MCM Volunteer Sign-Up Process (PLEASE READ!)
We have a somewhat complicated signup process in that we need to register both with the MCM and also register using our usual troop process. Please do both.
1. MCM REGISTRATION
Please note that MCM has changed their sign-up process. Go to the link below and enter the required reservation code to start the five step process:
Reservation Code: Vol2014BST149
Step 1: Please fill out all the required Participant Information fields and press “continue”. Do not sign in or register for an optional account as indicated in the red box to the right.
Step 2: Scroll through volunteer opportunity information to the bottom of the page and press “continue”.
Step 3: You will see the message “Please select the Volunteer Group you're associated with”. From the drop down menu select Boy Scout Troop 149 and press “continue”.
Step 4: This page confirms you are registering for Water Point #4 under Boy Scout Troop 149. Press “continue”.
Step 5: Read and initial the two waivers and fill your name below the “Volunteer Agreement”.Important Note: If you are under the age of 18 your parent must initial the waivers and type their name under the “Volunteer Agreement”.
A page will appear that presents the information you provided and confirms that you have successfully volunteered. MCM will also send you a confirmation email.
2. TROOP REGISTRATION
This is our normal troop registration process.
Please provide this information using the following link:
You can see who else has volunteered using the following link:
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