I’m very grateful to the good folks at North Gwinnett High School for providing volunteers. My piece of advice for 2018 is to brief said volunteers on the entire course- not just the single turn they are stationed at.
During my second loop back in George Pierce Park, the same thing happened twice: a friendly volunteer said “take a right here!” but then had no clue what I should do at the next immediate fork on the greenway. There were only 35 marathoners total, so “just follow the person in front of you” wasn’t a strategy. I quickly self corrected after wrong turns were made, but estimate I ran about a mile and a half extra because the course wasn’t marked appropriately.
3 out of 3 runners WILL take a wrong turn on this course |
I ran a 3:38:21 and got my sub 4 Georgia marathon. I placed second female overall, less than a minute from the leader. I got to do something I love. It was a great day and those are the things I’m holding on to from this experience. To God be the glory!