GREEN BAY — Bellin Run organizers say there are still lots of exciting volunteer opportunities available for the traditional day-before-race-day festivities as well as race day, Saturday, June 13.
Volunteers are needed to help on Friday night, June 12, 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 can join in the 8 a.m., Saturday, June 13 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.
“Our volunteers make this event what it is today,” said Randy Van Straten, race director of the Bellin Run. “Everyone involved truly appreciates the help of every volunteer. Plus, it’s a great way for those that can’t participate this year to join in the excitement.”
To volunteer at the 33rd annual Bellin Run, call the Bellin Run hotline at (920) 433-7444 and select Option 3, 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 a few logistics changes during this year’s run event. Most notably, the run will employ the use of 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 seven wave starts.
Other changes this year include a new 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 starting line for the Bellin Run will be on Webster Avenue immediately south of the skywalk. Participants will line up in the area in seven corrals, defined by category and pace.
The start and finish line are the same in 2009. 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.
Online registration for the Bellin Run is underway at www.bellinrun.com. Early online registration is $17 through May 31. Mail-in registration is $20. Late online registration June 1-11 is $20. Mail-in registration June 1 through June 11 is $23. On race weekend, participants can register after 4 p.m. June 12 through race day for $25 at the Astor Park registration tent. All participants receive a Bellin Run T-shirt.
