Volunteers go the distance to make Indianapolis Monumental Marathon a success

INDIANAPOLIS – It take an all-hands effort to ensure an estimated 16,000 running feet get off on the right foot for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.

“It never ceases to amaze me how volunteers so generously donate their time and talents in so many ways,” said IMM Executive Director Julie Patterson. “We could not pull this event off without the help of the community and volunteers from St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers.”

By the time the estimated 8,000 participants – a record number that is expected to grow by the Saturday, Nov. 6 race – about 800 volunteers will have either been working behind the scenes before and during the event to ensure smooth sailing.

Rob Thornburg, a member of IMM’s board of directors, along with Christa Petzke and Chris Gale, oversee a wide range of activities of its 650 volunteers, including registration and packets, set-up crews, start and finish line assistance, course marshals, gear checks, water stations and featured entertainment.

To learn how to become an IMM volunteer, go http://monumentalmarathon.com/participate/volunteers.

St. Francis, which continues in its role as title sponsor of the IMM, also will have a strong presence. Dr. Jeff Peterson, a sports medicine and family medicine physician, heads a medical team ready to assist runners along the course and other sites.

“We have about 100 physicians, nurses, physical therapists and trainers – many of them affiliated with St. Francis Sports Medicine – in the triage area and at the finish line,” said LeeAnn Abercrombie-Logan, marketing manager who coordinates all aspects of St. Francis’ participation.

Another 40-plus St. Francis volunteers are tapped to work in runners’ packet pick-area, water stations and other related activities. They also assist at the Expo the day before the race, featuring running gear and shoes, as well as the latest developments in sports, fitness and nutrition. Experts from St. Francis Sports Medicine team will be on-hand to offer last minute tips and answer any questions runners and walkers may have.

Runners from 47 states have registered , and so have participants from Australian, Brazil, Ecuador, Kenya, the Philippines, United Kingdom and Venezuela.

The race features a full marathon (26.2 miles) a half marathon (13.1 miles). An inaugural 5K run – sponsored by local engineering architectural firm HNTB – also is on tap.

All courses begin near Washington and West streets and finish on Robert D. Orr Drive to the finish line, just steps away from the Indiana State Capitol building.

The urban courses are sanctioned and certified by the standards of USA Track and Field, the national body of road racing, with the marathon course serving as a qualifier for the 2011 Boston Marathon.

To register for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, go to http://monumentalmarathon.com.

More information about St. Francis Sports Medicine is at www.stfrancishospitals.org/Ortho/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=4&tabid=54.