Marathon officials put out call for volunteers

ALBANY — As race director for the city’s annual Snickers Marathon, Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Rashelle Beasley has gained a certain level of confidence that the people in the community who have become the “backbone” of the event will do their part.

“I always order 1,100 volunteer T-shirts,” Beasley said Thursday.

The CVB and Snickers Marathon officials have sent out a call, though, reminding the community that more volunteers are needed for the 13th running of the event, which is scheduled March 2. Beasley said there was no lack of interest in this year’s event, just a need to remind the community.

“We had people start volunteering before we even sent anything out announcing the race,” the CVB director said. “We never really have a problem getting volunteers, but even with the amazing response from the community we never have enough.”

Beasley said road marshals are especially needed at strategic intersections throughout the city to guide runners along the route, prevent traffic from turning onto the course, and to be cheerleaders, creating energy and enthusiasm for those working to finish the race.

“Our race has a lot of twists and turns, so it’s important to have road marshals at strategic locations to make sure runners stay on the course,” she said. “We’ve never had that kind of issue in the 12 years of the marathon, and we want to make sure we don’t.”

Volunteers can sign up at the Albany Welcome Center on Front Street or by emailing Meredith Burnsed at [email protected]. Descriptions of what is entailed for each position are provided on the volunteer forms. Responsibilities are available until spots are filled.

Beasley said the 13th Snickers Marathon is “trending toward 1,300 runners.”

“We have 1,100 signed up already,” she said.

Beasley also said the community is “showing the same kind of enthusiasm we’ve always had for the marathon,” which will be followed from noon to 8 p.m. by the annual Downtown Street Festival.

“We don’t have a lineup of musical acts completed yet, but we’ve signed up vendors, and everything should be ready to go on (the 100 and 200 blocks of) Pine Avenue,” she said.

For more information about volunteering with the Snickers Marathon, email Burnsed or call (229) 317-4760.