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Volunteers of the Year

Pam Petro & John Saccu

Runners seldom recognize our Volunteers of the Year, but they are this year's Volutneers of the Year, Pam Petro and John Saccu, work behind the scenes to ensure protect the runners and ensure that the finish line is organized and efficient.

Pam has been coordinating the Finish Line crew since the very first year of the race and has seen us go from the traditional bibs and tag lines to modern chip timing. An avid runner herself, she can always be heard  encouraging every runner from the first to the last as they approach the line. Pam has a special rooting interest each year as her husband John and children Chris and Lauren are also running in the race.

Pam is active with the committee year round and you'll find her planning the event, stuffing the goody bags, coordinating volunteers and filling in wherever needed. Pam is a Shelton native and resident and works with Unilever which is one of our sponsors, provides several volunteers and provides items for the great runners bag that is a hallmark of the race.

Thank you Pam - and the entire Petro family. Brother Mike comes down from MA to run in the race every year as well!


John is the voice of encouragement at the turn around point!

John Saccu is another veteran volunteer, but runners generally do see - and hear - John even if they don't recognize him. John is the guy stationed at the midpoint of the race at the derby Public Library shouting encouragement, playing inspirational music and directing runners to the home leg of the course. In truth, he does much, much more as he coordinates safety along the course. John works with the police, fire and emergency service crews to ensure the course is well marked and safe. John's a veteran volunteer fireman in Derby himself, so he really knows his stuff. He's also the director of the Youth Service Bureau in Derby and a Derby High graduate. As you can see from a picture of the snowy 2005 race, even the weather doesn't slow down this intrepid volunteer!

Thank you Pam and John for your extraordinary efforts on behalf of all the runners!

Contact us by e-mail: hullrace@comcast.net


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