For the third consecutive year, Samford University was a corporate sponsor of Birmingham's annual Mercedes Marathon.  The University sponsored the mile of the marathon route that passed in front of the campus on the Lakeshore/Shades Creek greenway.  More than 100  students, employees and area alumni volunteered to staff the water and aid station on Samford's mile.  Braving freezing temperatures and damp weather, the volunteers were in place before dawn and stayed until the last runners passed the campus in late morning.

"This is a great way for us to showcase the campus and the Samford spirit to runners who come from all over the U.S. for this event, " said executive director of communications Philip Poole.  "And, it is a great way for the University to support the community and the philanthropies (KidOne Transport, the Bell Center for Exceptional Children, Children's Hospital and the Lakeshore Foundation) that are supported by marathon proceeds."

Samford's support of the Mercedes Marathon is a joint project of University Relations, the student involvement office and the Samford Alumni Association.

(Thanks to Bill Mathews for these photos.)