Fellow Amateurs...
The Pittsburgh marathon is back for another run this spring! May 6, 2012 will be the date of this year's marathon, and with more than 5000 runners registered in the first week alone, this promises to be another record breaking year for the event. Once again, amateur radio has been asked to help make this event a success.
We will be providing communications vital to ensuring the safety both of those athletes running in the marathon and of the many spectators. There are many positions around the 26.2 mile course that need to be covered, including mile markers, aid stations, sweep vehicles, shadows for race officials, and others. To fully cover all of these positions, we will need over 150 volunteer amateur radio operators, including you!
If you're new to the hobby or have never participated in a public service event, please don't let that stop you from joining us. We have a variety of positions for new and experienced hams alike, and will provide you with the information and support you need. This is an excellent opportunity to gain the experience needed to help out during an emergency, all while having fun and doing a service to our community.
Volunteering online is quick and easy; just fill out our registration form. You'll receive confirmation via email right away, and your assignment and detailed instructions will arrive by mail in early May. There will also be a pre-race meeting the day before the marathon, at which we'll review what to expect on race day, answer any questions you have, and provide your T-shirt, hat, and marathon credentials.
I look forward to seeing you on race day.
-- 73, Jeffrey Hutzelman, N3NHS