Samford Supports Mercedes Marathon, February 11, 2007

The Samford community was out in full force Feb. 11 to support the 6th annual Mercedes Marathon through the streets of Birmingham and surrounding suburbs.  And, for the 5th year, Samford sponsored the mile of the marathon route that passed along the Shades Creek/Lakeshore greenway in front of the campus.

More than 100 volunteers braved the early morning chilly weather to set up a water station and provide encouragement for runners.  Volunteers included employees, alumni and students.  Among the student groups represented were members of the soccer and softball teams, athletics trainers, exercise science and sports medicine majors, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Nu, Pi Kappa Phi, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha and Phi Mu.

Students also assisted Marathon organizers and charity benefactors at other points along the Marathon course.

Frank Parsons, director of Greek Life and student involvement, coordinated the student volunteers.  Philip Poole, executive director of university communications, and David Goodwin, director of alumni and parent programs, coordinated the employee and alumni volunteers.  Campus Dining, Inc., provided bananas for runners and water for Samford’s volunteer workers.

Brittney Mensen, a 2005 Samford graduate, finished second overall in the women’s division.  She was among a handful of employees, students and alumni to complete the full marathon.  Samford teams also participated in the Marathon relay, and a number of students and employees also ran the half-marathon.

For more Mercedes Marathon information, go to http://www.mercedesmarathon.com.

Volunteers gather along the “Samford mile” to provide water, bananas and support for runners in the 2007 Mercedes Marathon.

You’ve got to be quick!  A runner grabs a cup of water from one of Samford’s volunteers, Daniel Blackburn.  Blackburn coordinated Interfraternity Council involvement in this year’s Marathon.

Peter Neuberger, Samford’s senior associate director of athletics, finished second in his age division and 50th overall. 

Members of the “Samford Stogies” marathon relay team and some of their supporters gather along the Samford mile to celebrate the stogies team’s successful completion of another Mercedes Marathon relay.

Paul Aucoin, Samford’s dean of student services, represents the Samford faculty relay team as he runs the gauntlet on the Samford mile.  Aucoin returned to assist his wife, Judi, and other Samford volunteers after completing his portion of the relay.

David Goodwin, Samford’s new director of alumni and parent programs, is ready for a runner to grab a cup of PowerAde.  This was Goodwin’s first Mercedes Marathon as a Samford employee.

The men of Sigma Chi were well-represented on the “Samford mile” and even shared their Krispy Kreme donuts with some of the runners.

Samford’s Associate Provost Alan Hargrave crosses the finish line at Linn Park in downtown Birmingham.

Volunteers gather before 7 a.m. to receive instructions before the first runners hit the “Samford mile” along the marathon route.

Timothy Banks, professor of music, provides encouragement for two colleagues who are helping with arrangements for Samford’s A Cappella Choir performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and an early summer trip to England.