Rotary Club of Hilo Bay (RCHB) has participated in staffing a water/aid station for a run in the Volcano community for over 25 years. First when it was organized for the benefit of the Volcano Arts Center. More recently it benefits named benefactors decided upon by the Volcano Community in partnership with the producers/organizers of the run and even more recently establishing the “Experience Volcano” festival.
RCHB first staffed a station at the head of Devastation Trail. The run was a marathon that ran literally around the craters’ edge. This marathon was very popular even gaining status to enable runners to qualify to run in more prestigious marathons like Boston or New York City marathons. Now the run is held in the Volcano Village on paved roads. It is no longer a full marathon but a ½ marathon and a 5K. Our water/aid station has changed a few times but for the most part at the location we were at yesterday at the corner of Wright Rd./Mahai Rd. & Amaumau Rd.
It is an early day with volunteers being requested to arrive by 6:30 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. shotgun start. 25 years ago we had to bring our own tables, clean water to distribute. All the run organizers provided was electrolyte mix and paper cups. The rest was up to us. Now the race organizers provide the tables, the water, the cups, breakfast burritos along with our shirts. When this transition occurred I gifted the run all of the water vessels/Igloos that my husband, Lyle and I generously provided every year prior. A side note it was a fun/pleasant memory moment yesterday when I realized that one of the Igloos had Lyle’s initials on it. 😊 I took a picture to share with his children.
RCHB has grown into the role too. Richard Cunningham started bringing a propane powered hot water pot that he makes, coffee, decaf coffee and teas on demand for the RCHB volunteers. We don’t have a specific menu or assignment for that menu but enough of the volunteers bring some sort of snacks/treats to keep us healthy throughout the morning. A few years ago Dave DeLuz found a good deal on pop-up tents and gifted me with one for my volunteer activity use. When I tried to reimburse him he refused the funds so I gave them to HRYF in his name. I can put the pop-up up and down by myself if I have to but it sure is easier with this team to help!
We are usually located by a porta potty. We started offering waterless hand sanitizer to everyone who used the porta potty. The people are always grateful even if a bit surprised. The race organizers tell us this is a frequently commented on touch of kindness that they truly appreciate. One person even citing it as an example of the Aloha shared freely.
I understand we cared for approximately 200 runners twice yesterday once on their way up the hill and then again on their way down the hill.
Check out the photos in our photo albums page.
-by Mary Begier.