Immortals Green Race: Clare Au Young aims for her biggest race yet and says gratitude earned from volunteering adds to enjoyment
Clare Au Young has only been racing a year, but believes working at check points allows her to get more out of the experience
Clare Au Young has been fascinated by the community aspect of trail running since she took part in her first race a year ago, and signed up to volunteer. Since then, she thinks all runners should take the time to man a check point.
“On the trails people say good morning to you and interact,” Au Young said. “I’m yet to meet anyone rude. And the fact there were people standing at the top of the hill just to show you the right direction is amazing. It was raining [during my first race] and they were standing there. I thought, OK, I am going to volunteer.”
Au Young’s first volunteer experience was on the Trans-Lantau, where she intentionally picked a night shift so she could see how runners dealt with the dark. She quickly bonded with her fellow helpers and the time flew by as she watched the elites then the rest file through.
“I can’t explain the thrill of watching passing runners and saying ‘turn left’. It was great,” she said.
Now when she runs, she appreciates the race more and makes a point of saying thank you.
