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Race organizers announced today that 205 additional volunteers are still needed to safely execute this year’s event, including 88 in the critically important course team jobs.

Race Emergency Services Coordinator Scott Friedlein says, “Course Team volunteers are critical to the experience these participants will have during their stay in Champaign-Urbana and they are critical to ensure everyone’s safety. We are not asking our course team members to be traffic cops but instead to be cheerleaders who help guide the runners and keep the route safe for all.”

The race cannot happen without these key course team positions being filled. Race management is pleading with the local community for help.

There are 117 non-course team volunteer jobs available as well. These jobs are at the expo or on race day at the stadium.

Race co-director Mike Lindemann adds, “Champaign-Urbana has stepped up in every way to support our event over the past three years. We need their help again more than ever to get over this unexpected hurdle.”

ANYONE over the age of 16 can be a course team volunteer. Any citizen interested in volunteering for one of the open course team positions or other volunteer job should visit www.illinoismarathon.com. Click on the Volunteer tab and then the Join Our Course Team link. The list of available course team jobs is listed on this page. Pick the location you want and complete the registration process. There is a separate link—Join Our Volunteer Team—for the non-course team jobs. If you don’t have a computer, call 217/552-8325 and a race leader will help you get signed up for a volunteer spot.

Course Team volunteer training sessions will be held at the Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) on the U of I Campus, Peabody Drive on Monday, April 23 and Tuesday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. New course team volunteers can attend either session and they will receive more specific information when they sign up for the job at the race website. Training for some non-course team volunteers will also take place on April 23 and 24. The training schedule is on the volunteer page of the race website.

All volunteers receive the official Team shirt and keepsake drawstring backpack.

Don't forget to check out this year's sponsors.