Dr. Konopack and several students from Monmouth University volunteered their time and energy to support participants of the annual New Jersey Marathon and Half-Marathon. The event was held in the city of Long Branch, NJ on May 4, 2008, and drew thousands of athletes. The aid station, which provided water and Gatorade to thirsty runners, was located at the home of a generous family of volunteers on Second Avenue in Long Branch.

Students and other volunteers arrived at 6:00am to cool and damp conditions in Long Branch. However, spirits were high as the Gatorade was mixed, tables were assembled, and cups were set up and filled.

Five tables of Gatorade, five tables of water, over twenty volunteers, and thousands of expected runners.

And here they are - thirsty runners crowd the streets!

...and there they go! Runners passed our station at mile 6.2 and, for marathoners, again at mile 19.3. By the end of the day, volunteers had cleaned up all cups, GU wrappers, and other debris, leaving the neighborhood street even cleaner than when we arrived.

There sure were a lot of cups!

Thanks to the organizational efforts of the NJRRC/NJM, the other volunteers at our station, local emergency and police services, and gracious race participants, the event was a success. Both runners and volunteers enjoyed themselves despite the cool, overcast conditions.

Pictured below are the student volunteers from Monmouth University. Great job, people!