Dear Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) Members and friends,
Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) has rewarding opportunities available to share your time, talent, and passion for running by serving as a Marathon or Half Marathon Team Leader for the 2022 Beyond Half and Full Marathon Training Program in greater Kalamazoo.
The Beyond Program runs Saturday mornings beginning January 8th and continues through April 23rd or 30th (pending selection of goal races). Runs start at 8:00 am January – February, and 7:30 am March – April. The program will prepare runners for the Boston Marathon and other spring half and full marathons.
Team Leaders assist in providing a high-quality training program that is supportive of Kalamazoo Area Runners’ mission, vision, and values.
To be considered, Marathon Team Leaders must have completed at least one prior marathon, and Half Marathon Team Leaders must have completed at least one prior half marathon, and be able to commit to fulfilling the expectations below. Team Leaders will be asked to fulfill the following expectations:
- Promote team spirit, build camaraderie, nurture an encouraging, supportive culture, ensure all team members are connected and have fun!
- Attend a separate Team Leader training Saturday, December 4th from noon – 1:30pm (in person location TBD) OR Tuesday, December 7th from 6:00 – 7:30pm (virtual)
- Serve as sag OR hydration volunteer one Saturday morning during the duration of the program.
- Run within the assigned pace range, and slow pace as appropriate when conditions are unfavorable.
- Provide leadership to team in following safety guidelines, including guidelines related to COVID-19.
- Be available most Saturdays and communicate in advance when you can’t (Team Leaders must commit to a minimum of 11 of the 15 or 16 sessions plus one day sag/hydration for a total of 12 sessions) There is no run on February 26 due to the Winterblast Half Marathon, 10k and 5k on February 27.
- Arrive 30 minutes before the run starts
- Send out a weekly email by Thursday of each week to your group
- Attendance at the Virtual Beyond Blast Off and Orientation Night on Tuesday, December 14th from 6:30 – 7:30pm is encouraged
- Other duties and responsibilities as needed
Our volunteer team leaders receive:
- A rewarding experience helping team members achieve their marathon or half marathon goals
- FREE Beyond Program participation
- FREE Beyond Apparel Item
- FREE One-year KAR Membership.
If you are interested in serving as a Team Leader, please apply via the link below. The deadline to apply is Monday, November 15th and applicants will be placed based on the information submitted and notified of their status by Sunday, November 28th. Should any unfilled positions remain, the application will be reopened and the remaining positions will be filled first come first serve.
Click here to apply for a Beyond Team Leader Position
Important Dates/Times:
- Application Deadline: Sunday, November 15th.
- Virtual Beyond Blast Off and Orientation Night: Tuesday, December 14th from 6:30 – 7:30pm.
- Team Leader Training Saturday, December 4th from noon – 1:30pm (in-person location TBD) OR Tuesday, December 7th from 6:00 – 7:30pm (virtual)
- Program start: Saturday, January 8, 2022
- Program end: Saturday, April 23 or 30, 2022
- Winter Blast Half Marathon, 10k and 5k on February 27, 2022
- Kal-Haven Trail Run (date TBD)