CW. THANK YOU for volunteering. Boston sure wouldn't be what it is without the volunteers who were everywhere, cheerful and helpful to the end. I can't help but think that if Chicago had the BAA running its race (with its volunteers) last Fall then they never would have had the debacle that occurred. Ray

Thanks for volunteering Jay! Boston and other events wouldn't be the same without the help of the amazing volunteers! It was nice hearing about some behind the scene logistics that go on. Thanks for posting!

Just wanted to add my thanks for the race report and the volunteering. Paul

People don't realize how important the volunteers are! Thank you for giving your time to help out. You had a pretty awesome spot to see the race too!!!

I agree, except that every single runner out there DOES realize how special the BAA volunteers are (heck, some of the runners, like CNY runner and btb double as volunteers!), many times over. They are unfailingly cheerful, encouraging, patient, and giving. You try and thank one, and they respond "Have a great race!" They try and make everything easy for you. I even got the volunteer who took my chip to kiss Wally, the Red Sox mascot I ran with, in lieu of his getting a medal. Now that was above and beyond! (She was pretty; Wally's smiling!) grins, A

Thanks for volunteering, Jay! Your report certainly gave me some insight into what goes on behind the scenes that you don't see. Your efforts are certainly appreciated. I don't know how many times this past weekend my friends and I commented on the logistics of the race, how well organized it was, the multitude of volunteers, etc, etc. Congrats on contributing to the Boston Marathon success! I regret to say that I was not one of those runners you were describing with the high knee lift/kick, etc. Well, there's always next year. PJ

Thank you Jay, for your hard work and service, so that the runners can just go out there and do what they are there to do... run! It's pretty cool hearing about the stuff that goes on behind the scenes, I don't think many people realize all that needs to be done.

Jay, your report adds an important dimension to the other reports. Without volunteers, there wouldn't be a Boston. Having such helpful and well trained ones really adds to the tremendous atmosphere. In the March of the Potatoes, I interacted with several volunteers, whose first words were always congratulations. Nice.

J As Rose asked - I am also wondering When's your next event Jay? Have you been walking a lot?

Hi LaT and Rose, So nice to hear from you! I've finally started walking again. I've had a piriformis issue that has kept me on the sidelines for too long this Spring but, with some aggressive stretching, I'm getting it resolved. I'm back up to 4-5 miles on my workouts, and now need to see if I can go that distance consistently without my piriformis tightening up on me again. It is important to me to be able to get in shape for a couple of fall half marathons. The first race in the Seacoast Series (that I also help organize) is this Saturday. I'm working there before the race, and also thinking of walking it. It is the Children's Museum 5K in Portsmouth. I will also be walking a 5K in Exeter, NH in a few weeks, which'll be my last race in the 55-59 age group. I'm giving serious thought to starting a new race up here. When I first told DW that, she said she thought I was absolutely nuts (and she may be right...). Then I explained that I want to hold a race for walkers only, and she changed her tune and is supportive of the concept. So stay tuned, all you walkers! Jay