Even if you don't own a pair of running shoes, you can still help out at a local 5k. Doing so will inspire you - if not to take up running, then to cheer on your fellow walkers and runners as they raise money and trek onward for a worthy cause.

You may have friends or family who've participated in 5K races as walkers or runners. Most of these races are fundraisers set-up to support causes ranging from breast cancer to homelessness to local non-profits. But you may not consider yourself a walker or a runner. Does that mean you can't still participate in a race? Most certainly not!

I served as a volunteer for Nashville's 7th Annual Germantown Paulener 5K Bier Run in 2006. This race benefits the continuing historic restoration of Assumption Catholic Church and Monroe Street United Methodist Church as well as Historic Germantown neighborhood improvement projects.

I got up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and found my way to the start line, where registration would be set up. As the other volunteers arrived, I was part of the group that arranged signs and tables and chairs, and set out race numbers and t-shirts. Others prepared to process the registrations of racers who showed up that morning. Still others set up water stations, filling paper cups with water to hand to racers as they made it through various parts of the course. Others set up the finish line, making sure that food, water, and other freebies would be ready for racers as they finished the 5K.

At about 7:00am, after I'd been there for nearly an hour, the racers started showing up. By 7:30 it was a madhouse as they arrived in droves, readying themselves for the 8:00 race start. We volunteers worked together, calling out numbers and shirt sizes, answering questions, and directing racers on where to go. Once the start gun went off, we cleaned up the registration area, and I quickly moved to one of the water stations. It was so rewarding to watch the people go by—young and old, individuals and groups, families, various ethnicities, a range of physical ability. We smiled and cheered and encouraged them to keep going. And once they had all gone by our station, we picked up hundreds and hundreds of paper cups that they left behind in their quest toward the finish, leaving our part of the course spotless and clean!

Look around your city and see what races are coming up (lots of cities have a local running club that sponsors events). Then sign up to volunteer. With so many benefit races, there are lots of opportunities to show that you care. And who knows—you may even be inspired to take up running!

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Ingredients:

• Desire to help
• Ability to count
• Willingness to get up early

Caring Time:

• 180 Minutes (from set-up to tear-down)

Cost:

• Free!

Results:

• Free t-shirt
• Inspiration
• Motivation to be fit
• Satisfaction of helping a non-profit or community concern