By VO VON SEHLEN
Folks, the Missoula Marathon is only a few short weeks away!
That also means it’s the time of the year when we need to think about representing Montana, the city of Missoula, and the Missoula Marathon and Half Marathon courses as best we can to all runners, whether they live right around the corner from us, or are traveling from any of the 50 states, Canada, and abroad to our wonderful three-day event.
On Saturday, June 30, at 8:30 a.m., we really need your help cleaning our stunning Missoula Marathon courses.
However, if you look a little closer – I dare you – you’ll find more than just beautiful flowers, the occasional wildlife, and lovely scenery.
Nope, you’ll find lots of garbage, which was carelessly thrown out of their vehicles in the past year! That is not how we want to showcase the Best Marathon in the country and the city in which we live and run.
In past years, we did what we could with the few people that actually showed up. The more volunteers we can get to help, the more miles we can clean, AND, the faster it will go.
Please, consider volunteering for an hour or two, on Saturday, June 30, at 8:30 a.m. at the start of the Missoula Half-Marathon on Blue Mountain Road, right next to The PEAK. But please don’t park in their parking lot, rather, park on Buckhouse Lane.
We’ll provide big garbage bags, rubber gloves, refreshments, snacks, water, coffee, and fun times, of which you can be very proud. Ask your family, friends and neighbors to help, too. We will pick up the filled garbage bags from the side of the road. It is that simple.
To be best prepared, it’s best to wear long pants, long-sleeve t-shirt, shoes (sandals are not recommended), a hat, and heavier garden gloves. The Missoula Marathon is counting on YOU! A sincere thank you, and in hopes to see many of you soon and on June 30!
Calling all volunteers! For more info or to volunteer to help at the Missoula Marathon, visit the Run Wild Missoula website.
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Stay in the loop with Missoula’s running community! Check out the Run/Walk It archives for more posts from Missoula runners and walkers.
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Vo von Sehlen is a Missoula Marathon Committee member.