More runners sign up for Modesto Marathon — but volunteers are badly needed
The Modesto Marathon is expecting to feature more than 2,500 runners this year.
But the number of volunteers for the annual event has dropped off. And organizers are putting out a call for help to make the March 22 marathon a success.
Bree Fitzpatrick, race director, said there is usually a need for 160 volunteers to support the marathon. About 50 have signed up with less than two weeks before the event. Event organizer ShadowChase Running Club usually has 100 people committed at this point, Fitzpatrick said.
The marathon is offering gifts and prizes in an attempt to bring in more volunteers.
Many high school students have served at previous marathons to earn community service hours, but those returning volunteers are not showing up this year. Fitzpatrick said new volunteers are welcome, and people of various ages can help with the marathon.
At the same time, runner registration is 300 above the 2,351 who entered the marathon last year, the director said. That is the highest number of participants since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The biggest volunteer need is for course monitoring. Those volunteers are positioned along the marathon route to make sure cars don’t enter the roadway and to ensure the integrity of the course. They cheer on the runners and make sure they’re going the right direction.
Volunteers also are needed for pre-race preparation, registration, for handing out water and medals at the finish line, entertainment, medical and cleanup teams. Volunteers must be 16 or older.
The marathon course runs from Modesto’s downtown to roads west of the city in the Hart-Ransom School area, and then back. The mostly flat course is a qualifier for entering the New York and Boston marathons.
Fitzpatrick said the marathon serves to showcase Modesto. As an example, the 2026 race is paying tribute to the State Theatre. Images of the theater are on the marathon shirts and medals.
As a show of appreciation, the volunteers this year are entitled to a free haircut from Great Clips. The company supported the cause by donating 160 free haircuts. Volunteers’ names will be entered into a drawing for more than 100 prizes. Volunteers also will receive a discount on race entry next year.
People interested in assisting with the marathon can sign up under “volunteers” at modestomarathon.com.
