SUDBURYROCKS!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes

IT's RUN DAY!!!.

The End is in Sight and Run Day Will be Exciting and Fun!!!

by Sheila Yaw-MacLean

Wow the end is in sight. As I sat last night at one of the final Directors meeting I realized what an amazing group of people they were. Each one volunteered 6 months ago to take on a task that seemed to me to be a fairly easy one if we all worked together and stayed focused on the goal. It was going to be exciting. Today was a different story....The final preparations to ensure everything went on without a hitch on race day. My position was somewhat as my life has been "Jack of all Trades Master of None", I'm the treasurer as well, I played a small role on the promotions and advertising committee. I was able to see what went on behind the scenes of a race and have gained great respect for each committee member for the work they had to do and I was able to get to know them better.

Our Leader, Steve Matusch....man was he focused. His vision of bringing a prime event to Sudbury started this whole thing off. We initially had bi weekly meetings which lead to weekly ones in the end and sometimes side meetings as we were running on the track at Cambrian Fitness at noon. Attending those meetings was almost stressful. You knew Steve was going to grill you on what you've done so far, if you've met the deadlines to date and what your plans were for the upcoming weeks. He threw out ideas, asked for input and was very diplomatic about voting on issues that he sometimes didn't agree on. He knew what we needed to do to get this event going and make it a success...we had a goal and he made sure that each and everyone of us didn't loose focus of it.

Course Director, Vince Perdue....nothing I can say here that everyone doesn't already know. I'm sure this course is the most accurate course in all the province. It was very interesting at times to watch him and Steve butt heads on issues of opposing views. Thankfully, in the end no blood was shed.

Advertising and Promotion Director, Amanda Luoma with Emily Brigham....I can't believe the amount of work that these two actually did. I learned so much from them. Our task was to promote the event, get sponsors and make sure news of our race reached runners province wide. The numbers are showing that we were extremely successful. Over 600 registered to date and still coming in and that's not including the 1km kids race. Also the response from the sponsors was phenomenal. How many other races had to actually turn down sponsors because we had enough!!! What a great city we live in.

Venue Director, Donna Smerk...Donna came on board a little later than the rest of us and shone just as much or even more. Everything down to the portapotties were taken care of by her group. I can't even imagine the amount of hours she had to put in to accomplish what she has done. Simply amazing.....

Volunteer Director, Paul Waschuk....Paul's task was a challenging one as well. How do you get 250 - 300 people to get up at 5:30 in the morning to take part in an event, that for most, can only dream of doing one day. He did it...in fact last night it was decided that we are now taking volunteer names for next years event as we have enough already this year!!!! Can you imagine that???

Registration and Timing. Brent Walker....Brent as always has been cool, calm and collected. Race day will be challenging. How do you get 700+ runners registered in 4 different events and 400+ kids registered for the 1km race through the finish line without a hitch? Brent can do it!!!!

This whole process was mind boggling for me. I have such great respect for each one of you.

Race Day will be exciting and fun....and stressfull and fun....and an event that will put Sudbury on runners race schedule for years to come. I'm glad I am part of it.

Sheila