LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University track and field teams collaborated with the Knights swimming teams to staff an aid station on the marathon course of the recent Ironman Louisville.

Members of the teams stocked and handed out food and beverages and offered encouragement to participants as they passed by the aid station during the final leg of the Ironman.

"I really enjoyed working this weekend with my teammates and those on the swimming team," junior track and field and cross country member Karly Gawarecki said. "I think it's really neat to be able to volunteer at an event that includes both sports to such an extreme level. I was amazed at how grateful the athletes were to us as volunteers even as they had been competing in the event for 10-plus hours. It's motivating to see the determination of the athletes as they push themselves for hours on end."

"This service project was rewarding for the volunteers and competitors because both groups benefitted from each other," sophomore swimmer Alexandra Scott said. "The Bellarmine athletes got to be a part of a different competition that they may not be familiar with. It was also rewarding to see how the support from the aid station helped the runners. Some athletes even got to know some of the runners briefly as they went by and were a familiar face for when the runners would run by at a different time. By volunteering at the race, athletes could give the same support that they often receive during their competitions. This service project was a great way for athletes to get involved in the Louisville community as a whole as well as the Louisville community of athletes."

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