BY STEPHANIE WINSTON

Every October , the Marathon2Marathon takes place in the small town of Marathon , TX . This Boston-qualifying event attracts runners from all over the country , even all over the world . It ’ s the town ’ s largest annual event , so naturally many of the local businesses and community members get involved . Last year , my good friend Nadine and I decided to join in on the fun with our children . We participated not as runners but as volunteers . As yet another fall approaches , the lessons I learned from last year ’ s marathon still linger in my mind .

It ’ s worth noting that I ’ m not a runner , largely due to a significant knee injury I sustained years ago that hampers any attempts at long-distance running . However , if circumstances were different , M2M would certainly be on my bucket list of races . Anyone familiar with Far West Texas in the Fall will attest to the invigorating , crisp mornings that seem designed to coax you outdoors . It ’ s almost instinctual to want to breathe in the fresh mountain air . Add to this the sunrises , which delicately brush pastel hues across expansive mountain vistas , not to mention the laid-back locals , and you ’ re in an environment that exudes tranquility . It would undoubtedly be my chosen setting to run a marathon if I ever decide to push my physical boundaries .

Because I ’ m a mother with a knee injury , I came to the conclusion that although I ’ m not able to run the marathon , volunteering for the M2M would be a great way to have fun on a Saturday morning . I would have the opportunity to support the community and runners without inflicting unnecessary pain upon myself . I also had the motivation of wanting to introduce my children to the concept of living a life of service . This was my first volunteer opportunity with my children , and I am sure it won ’ t be our last .

On that cool October morning , Nadine , our collective group of children and I arrived at mile 14 filled with excitement and a little trepidation . We were running late , but luckily the first wave of runners had not arrived at our table . ( Why it still surprises me how long it takes to get out of the house with children , I ’ ll never know .) We arrived in time to take in the spectacular views . The native grasses shone golden on the sides of Highway 385 , and the mountains appeared blue in front of the pastel pinks , purples and orange of the sky behind . Not long after we arrived , Alaine , the volunteer coordinator , gave us our t-shirts , festive bunny ears and instructions . Our table was well stocked with cups , snacks , a Gatorade dispenser and water . We were ready to serve . As we waited for the runners , the children made encouraging signs for them , and Nadine and I passed out food for the children .

Luckily , we didn ’ t have to wait too long for the runners to arrive at our station . As the first cluster approached , my children ’ s faces lit up . I couldn ’ t help but notice of how the runners ’ faces lit up as well .

Suddenly , the children were part of something bigger than themselves , contributing as they were to a collective goal . What they did mattered . And the pride they took in their participation showed . The boys eagerly offered water , Gatorade and snacks to passers-by . They held up their handmade signs and waved enthusiastically at the runners as they approached . I ’ ll forever treasure the memory .

It was a whirlwind of activity as Nadine , Ms . Jayne and I refilled water and Gatorade cups and passed them to the older children . Somehow , we managed to keep an eye on the younger girls , audit our supplies and chat here and there with the runners . We performed only three hours of service