On Sunday, May 24th at 3:00 AM, I was standing at Burlington’s Waterfront Park. In the pitch black, Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains on the opposite side of the lake were invisible, swallowed by the night. Despite the activity that would be filling the park in just a few hours, at that moment it was profoundly, beautifully still.

A Still Waterfront Park (PC: Steve Mease)

I’m typically not there at that hour. However, on that day my mission was to set up for race day bib pick-up for the Vermont City Marathon and Relay, which would be in operation from 5:00 to 6:00 AM. Arriving at the park in the wee small hours is necessary to ensure there is sufficient time to set up the tent, organize bibs and t-shirts, get the check-in system ready, and give our wonderful volunteers a tutorial on the process. Waking up for a 3:00 AM arrival isn’t easy—and requires an additional cup (or more) of coffee—but being able to experience such tranquility is a massive reward.

Out of Thin Air

Most runners visit the Sports and Fitness Expo at the DoubleTree Hilton in South Burlington on Friday or Saturday to pick up their packets. However, some can’t get to town until late Saturday night, or even race morning itself. Race morning bib pick up is offered as a convenience for those runners that need it.

As the clock ticked closer to 5:00 AM, the daylight slowly and steadily increased, exposing the beauty of Lake Champlain as the Adirondacks materialized in the distance. With the dawn came a gradual influx of vendors and volunteers prepping for the day.

Each year, I am amazed by how quickly the energy shifts. As the clock hits 5:00 AM, the very first runner appears at the tent. A few minutes pass before the next arrives, and they continue to filter in one by one. But at some point—usually not long after 5:00 AM—I look up from handing over a bib to see that a line of runners has appeared, almost as if out of thin air.

A Different Line, Those Waiting for Portos (PC: Steve Mease)

All Hands-on Deck

From there, it’s all hands-on deck. Between grabbing bibs, handing out t-shirts, and checking in individual marathoners and relay teams, our volunteer crew is fully engaged for the entire hour. As 6:00 AM approaches, the tent becomes progressively enveloped by humanity—not just those checking in, but runners warming up, dropping bags at gear check, and, of course, the ever-essential lines for the port-o-lets.

At, or shortly after 6:00 AM, the bib pick-up tent officially converts into the info tent. But our work isn't quite done. Boxes of remaining bibs and shirts are quickly loaded into my Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk parked nearby. Every nook and cranny of space has a box, and I do my best to keep them accessible to check in any late-arriving runners in need (and inevitably there are some). Even with the start time looming, spectators and runners continue to mill about the park.

Trash Bag Poncho (PC: Steve Mease)

The Crescendo

The early morning hours during setup offer tranquility; the conclusion of bib pick-up offers pure energy and excitement. They sit at opposite ends of a spectrum, but both are enjoyable in their own unique ways. This contrast is what makes race day such a special experience.

Like a symphony orchestra playing classical music, race morning builds to a crescendo. At 7:15 AM, the race starts, I exhale deeply, knowing the morning rush is a success. Relocating to the start/finish area, I watch the sea of runners depart the park and head out onto the course. The activity at Waterfront Park briefly decreases, but as soon as those runners return, so will the excitement.

The Start (PC: Lee Krohn)

The symphony continues…