I cheered everyone in as I put their medals on. Some people were really nice. Some people were just jerks. But that's o.k.
We stood in the sun, waiting until the very last marathoners came in - more than 7 hours after they started. But we cheered them on and donned them with medals.
They were so proud of themselves for sticking it out. They were probably in their early 60's and walked it together. The women explained that by mile 15 they were tired, and mile 18 they almost gave up. But they kept at it, and thought their grandchildren would be so proud of them. It was very cool.
The other heart-warming moment happened about a half hour before the end. An elderly women was doing the marathon. She had quit and her daughter brought her by to say she had picked her up and to turn in her timing chip. As she walked away I thought she still deserved a medal (the 1/2 marathon and full marathoners both received the same medal). So as she was walking away I ran after her. I said, "I know you did not finish all 26 miles, but you did a great job and should have a medal." Her daughter said, "Well she did make it 21 miles." I replied, "That was good enough for me," and then put the medal over her head. The woman smiled and then started to get a bit teary-eyed. Seeing her reaction was probably the best moment of the day!
Although I got majorly sunburned on my nose and looked like a raccoon for days, it was a great day and good to give back - as so many people volunteer at the events in which I run.
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