"I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to participate as a volunteer for the B.A.A. Half Marathon yesterday. It was great fun. There were so many cool folks volunteering. It was truly a rewarding experience."
--Kate Donovan

"This was my first race ever and I was nervous. Well, what a fantastic job you and your event planners and volunteers did! Spot on!"
--Jen Marrandette

9th Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon,
presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund
Sunday, October 11, 2009

Dear 2009 B.A.A. Half Marathon Volunteer,

Please accept our sincere thanks for helping to make the Ninth Annual B.A.A. Half Marathon a great success. This year's event continued a welcomed, new tradition in the running community, and we recognize the instrumental role that you, as a volunteer, play in our realizing this achievement.

You helped to host over 5,000 runners from the start to the finish line, contributing to the overall positive race experience enjoyed by the athletes. We are grateful to have worked with such a capable and enthusiastic volunteer corps for this event and fully appreciate the extent to which the volunteers help every participating athlete feel like a champion. We hope that you will join us as a volunteer at some of our other events throughout the year. Again, thank you for your hard work and commitment - you are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Boston Athletic Association

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Location: All jobs, with the exception of the Hydration Stations; staffed by local running clubs, check in at Roberto Clemente Field in Boston’s Back Bay. Parking is limited and volunteers will be asked to use public transportation.
Confirmation: Assignment confirmation letters have been mailed.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009

Runner Registration
Team Captain: Barbara Sicuso
Check-in time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Runners are given the opportunity to pick up their race number and t-shirt the day before the event at Clemente Park, where volunteers will be stationed at tables to distribute numbers, t-shirts and race information. Lunch will be provided.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009
Runner Registration
Team Captain: Barbara Sicuso
Check-in time: 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Runners who did not pick up their race number and t-shirt the day before the event may pick them up the morning of the race. The volunteers will be stationed at tables to distribute runners’ numbers, t-shirts and race information. Volunteers working Runner Registration will be asked to also help out at Medals/Chip Recovery upon completion of their assignment.

Food/Fluids
Team Captains: Ed Wiederhold   
Check-in time: 6:00 a.m. - Noon
These volunteers will set-up and help distribute various food and beverage products. These items will be available to the athletes before and after the race. 
               
Clothing Check
Team Captain: Roger Boyle          
Check-in time: 7:00 a.m. - Noon
Official runners will be given the opportunity to check their warm-up clothing prior to the race. The clothing will be organized for easy distribution to the runners following their race.

Chip Recovery/Medals
Team Captain: Paul Clark
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Athletes will be timed by means of a computer chip tied onto their shoelace. Runners will receive a medal after they cross the finish line. Volunteers will help collect the computer chips in exchange for a finisher’s medal.

Course Monitors
Team Captain: Josh Nemzer
Check-in Time: 6:00 a.m. - Noon
Course Monitors will be relied upon to provide the runners with both direction, as well as safety along the course. Course Monitors will meet at Clemente Park and be dispatched from there via bus. They should remain at their location until picked up again by bus.

VOLUNTEER CHECK-IN:

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COURSE FLUID STATION VOLUNTEERS, ALL VOLUNTEERS SHOULD REPORT TO THE VOLUNTEER CHECK-IN TENT AT CLEMENTE PARK NO LATER THAN THE TIME LISTED ON THEIR ASSIGNMENT CONFIRMATION CARD, WHICH WILL BE MAILED TO THEM

You will receive your t-shirt and attend a brief orientation session that will be held immediately prior to your assignment. At this session, you will receive detailed instructions as to your responsibilities and tour the area where you will be working. You will have an opportunity to meet your Team Captain and ask questions.

VOLUNTEER TIPS AND GUIDELINES:

• Please stay in your assigned area. This is critical in order to serve the runners in an efficient manner and as best we can.
• Dress casually and for the weather! Please wear your volunteer T-shirt at all times as your outer most layer. Wear comfortable shoes!
• Please do not bring any backpacks or valuables with you to your assignment. All bags are subject to search by B.A.A. security personnel or authority of the town your volunteer job is in. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Also, please do not bring cameras, children or pets.
• This is a healthy, athletic event – all volunteers will be required to obey the NO SMOKING rule.

PARKING:

• No parking is available at Clemente Park.
• There is limited parking (for volunteers only) at the Boston Latin School, Avenue Louis Pasteur – all on a first come first serve basis. If you plan to park here please contact Elisabeth (worthing@baa.org).
• Limited parking is available in the Landmark Center Garage on Brookline Avenue, in the Longwood medical area garages, or at the Museum of Fine Arts parking lot – all for a fee; or you may park on the street.
• Please observe City of Boston and Town of Brookline parking regulations in the area.

DIRECTIONS
DRIVING
From North: Take I-93 South towards Boston. Exit Storrow Drive West and continue to the "Fenway" exit (left lane exit off Storrow Drive). You will be on an overpass and crossing over Commonwealth Avenue. Turn right onto Boylston Street. Continue on Boylston Street for approximately ¼-mile, and go left or right onto Brookline Avenue for garage and street parking, where available.

From South: Take I-93 North towards Boston to the Southampton Street Exit (Exit 16). Turn left at end of exit ramp and continue on Southampton Street until the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Turn left onto Melnea Cass Boulevard; then, turn left onto Tremont Street. Take next right onto Ruggles Street and continue across Huntington Avenue. Ruggles Street becomes Louis Prang Street. When you get to The Fenway, continue on Louis Prang Street along the Fenway (Simmons College will be on your left) and take a right, going through The Fenway on Fenway Drive. Once you are through The Fenway, take a left on Park Drive. Turn right onto Boylston Street or Brookline Avenue for parking.

From West: Take I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) East to Boston. Exit at Cambridge tolls and proceed towards Cambridge. Turn right onto Storrow Drive East before crossing the Charles River. Continue on Storrow Drive East to the "Fenway" exit. Turn right onto Boylston Street. Go left or right onto Brookline Avenue for garage and street parking, where available.

PUBLIC TRANSIT:
Using the MBTA subway:

• Green Line "E" train to the "Museum of Fine Arts" stop on Huntington Avenue. Then, walk ¼-mile northwest on Forsyth Way (the Museum of Fine Arts will be on your left) towards and directly through The Fenway to Roberto Clemente Park.
• OR the Green Line "D" train to the "Fenway" stop in the Riverway. Then, walk ½-mile southeast along Park Drive along The Fenway to Roberto Clemente Field.
• OR the Green Line "B," "C" or "D" train to Kenmore Station at Kenmore Square. Then, walk ¾-mile southwest on Brookline Avenue (cross over the Mass. Pike and past Fenway Park) to Park Drive. Take left on Park Drive along The Fenway to Roberto Clemente Field.
  

Elisabeth Worthing
Community and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Boston Athletic Association
40 Trinity Place, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
worthing@baa.org
617-236-1652 X 2630