GPS volunteers at the Ironman
Matt Hanson and Angela Naeth, the men’s and women’s winners in the inaugural Little Debbie Ironman held in Chattanooga on Sunday, ran twice by GPS volunteers at an aid/refreshment station. The Bruisers, intent on their mission – providing water, pretzels, and other nutritional supplements to the over 2,000 participants – barely noticed who was in first or last place.
Some of the many GPS volunteers were decked out in Bruiser shirts or blue tutus, and all cheered, waved signs, clapped, and called some runners out by name, saying, “You’re an Ironman…keep it up!”
Two seniors, Savannah Williams and Mackenzie Hobbs, who stayed into the evening hours, had so much fun that shey said they want to come back from college in 2015 and volunteer again. When she wasn’t handing out pretzels, bananas, cokes, water, or a Gatorade-type electrolyte refreshment, Savannah said it was “great to see different ages participating.” The experience left her with an unshakeable appreciation for the training that goes into preparing for the 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River, 116-mile bike race, and marathon run.
“Everyone who went by our station was so appreciative,” said Savannah. “Many said ‘thank you’ or responded to our aid with high fives and big smiles.”