On May 4th, 2024, AYLUS members participated in volunteering for the Long Island Marathon
Weekend during various times of the day. The Jovia Long Island Marathon Weekend helped
raise funds for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Many individual athletes ran for
their own causes, including raising funds for family members, or just to challenge themselves.
Alongside the marathon was the annual Long Island Food Truck Festival. People could choose
between many delectable choices, like pulled pork, corn on the cob and tacos. There also were
people who were celebrating Cinco De Mayo, so it was a very festive area.
First, we began by helping the volunteer captains sort out the clothes for the athletes onto racks.
Then, we helped pack goody bags for the athletes. They contained a variety of goods from the
sponsors of the event, and practical items like a bib belt. Finally, we helped check in over 2000
athletes in total, ranging from 1k runners all the way to marathon runners. We had to get the
runner’s name on a registration platform, then went to find the matching bib and t-shirt size. The
bibs were numerically sorted and were neatly stacked in boxes that we had to sift through to get
the bib. Finally, we needed to get their t-shirts from the rack, fold it, and to give the athletes their
bib, shirt and goody bag. We also helped athletes take pictures with their bib. Many athletes told
us that they came from other states to compete.
When check-in was finally closed, we helped the volunteer captains pack up the tables and area
before heading home.
In volunteering for this event, we gained a profound respect for the marathon runners. We
learned from the athletes about the sheer amount of effort and dedication required to prepare
for a marathon. We realized that just like marathon running, volunteering also requires lots of
effort and dedication. Finally, we learned how to better organize our stations for maximum
efficiency!
Reporter: Letao Tao
Letao Tao (4 hours); Adrian Jin (4 hours)
