More volunteers needed to help with Santa Rosa Marathon

Organizers of the Santa Rosa Marathon are gearing up for the Aug. 26 race and seeking volunteers to help pull it off.

More than 6,000 runners are expected to participate in the event, which also includes a half-marathon, and 5K and ?10K races. Now in its 10th year, the race attracts runners seeking to qualify for the Boston Marathon, with a relatively flat, fast course that leads from downtown Santa Rosa and out the Santa Rosa Creek Trail to Willowside and Olivet roads, where runners go through the barrel room at DeLoach Vineyards before returning to a first-ever finish at the reunited Old Courthouse Square.

Those who complete the two longer courses receive a free bottle of wine from DeLoach Vineyards.

Organizers need about ?80 more volunteers to cheer on runners, manage the course, hand out pancakes or wine, and help competitors check in before the race. Volunteers can work a variety of shifts, including packet pick-up in the two days before the race or run the information booth.

Proceeds from the event will benefit fire survivors through Redwood Credit Union’s North Bay Fire Relief fund; school athletic programs across the North Bay; and the Matrix Parents Network, a Novato-based nonprofit that provides free services to families of children with special needs in Marin, Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

To sign up as a volunteer, visit santarosamarathon.com.