Ithaca Cross Country Volunteers for Road Race
ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's and women's cross country teams raced last Saturday, Sept. 10, at Hamilton College, but Sunday was spent giving back to the Ithaca community.
The teams volunteered for the Ithaca 5 & 10 Road Races that are sponsored by the Finger Lakes Runners Club. The races started at Ithaca High School and ran throughout the town of Ithaca and back.
Race director Gary McCheyne was very pleased to have both teams volunteer for the races that are open to the entire Ithaca community and Finger Lakes Runners Club, which is made up of members from all over the Northeast.
"Getting 25 Ithaca College [cross country] athletes to come and volunteer is such a big help," McCheyne said. "They showed up on time with great attitudes; what more can a race director ask for?"
The teams were in charge of manning roadway intersections, as well as monitoring and directing traffic away from the course and the runners.
McCheyne praised both teams on their enthusiasm and willingness to work any of the intersections on the course.
"Their enthusiasm was greatly appreciated by all of us there that day," McCheyne said. "I had several runners compliment them on how well they did blocking traffic and keeping the runners on course and safe."
"It turned into a real good event; they came in very helpful and very handy," McCheyne said. "I just really enjoyed their enthusiasm and exuberance to be willing to participate in our event the way they did."
The men's and women's cross country teams are a part of an initiative by the Empire 8 to have student-athletes become more involved in their communities by taking part in community service projects.