Volunteers Needed for the Bellin Run

April 15, 2010

For those not running or walking during the 34th annual Bellin Run, event organizers say there’s a way to still get in on the excitement and festivities of the yearly event – by being a volunteer.

Volunteers are needed to help on Friday night, June 11, with the Children’s Run, registration and the spaghetti dinner. Opportunities to help include traffic control at the Children’s Run, supervision of children’s games, serving and helping families to tables at the spaghetti dinner, directing runners through the registration process and cleanup.

Volunteers also can join in the 8 a.m., Saturday, June 12 race activities by directing participants at the starting line, guiding runners at traffic intersections, manning water stations and meeting runners at the finish line with refreshments.

“Volunteer effort really makes this event a great success year after year,” said Randy Van Straten, executive race director for the Bellin Run. “We truly appreciate the help of every volunteer and encourage those who are not part of the actual run/walk event for whatever reason to get in on the fun by volunteering.”

To volunteer at the 34th annual Bellin Run, call Volunteer Coordinator Selys Perry at (920) 433-6092, or register online at www.bellinrun.com by clicking on the Volunteer link.

Bellin Run planners will institute one minor logistics change during this year’s run event – the addition of an additional wave start. Last year the run used seven wave starts.

Wave starts consist of staggered starts of smaller groups instead of one huge start for all participants. Runners are placed in waves of similarly paced participants. Each wave has its own start with a short interval between waves. This creates a safer, less congested experience for participants. The Bellin Run will employ eight wave starts this year.

Other notable areas of interest include the location for the race expo and event festivities. Those will be held at Astor Park at Porlier and Clay streets. Also, the Friday children’s race will take place on the perimeter streets of Astor Park. The events traditionally were held at Baird Park until the venue change was instituted last year.

The starting line for the Bellin Run remains on Webster Avenue immediately south of the skywalk. Participants will line up in the area in eight corrals, defined by category and pace. The start and finish line are the same in 2010. Finishing on Webster Avenue will give participants increased space and a dramatic setting, Van Straten said. The move also enables enhanced medical areas, spectator seating, finisher flow and ease of access to refreshments.