Decatur Needs Volunteers (Including Poets) For Publix Marathon

As the March 18 Publix Marathon approaches, the City of Decatur is asking for help.

Volunteers are needed to run two water stations -- one in Oakhurst and the other in downtown Decatur. You can sign up at the marathon website.

Residents are also needed to yell, ring bells and encourage thousands of marathon runners who will pass by a cheering station at the old courthouse.

It's not just for city spirit -- there's money involved. The reward went to the Walk There! Decatur program.

If you want to join the cheer crew, email events@decaturga.com. If you have questions contact Katie Abel at Katie.abel@decaturga.com or 678-553-6573.

If you're of a creative bent, you can help in the marathon by coming up with  “Burma Shave” signs to post along the route. As the Decatur Focus says,

“Burma Shave” signs were a part of a popular advertising campaign in the 1950s for Burma Shave cream (a brand of brushless shaving cream), whose advertising gimmick was to post humorous rhymes on consecutive signs along the edge of highways.

Typically there were five signs devoted to the poem, and a sixth that ended with the product name. In Decatur, we will post four consecutive rhyming signs encouraging the runners, ending with a fifth “Decatur” sign."

An example: Remember Us. We're Very Clever. Our Funny Signs. Cheer On Your Endeavor. Decatur!

Email your suggestions to lyn.menne@decaturga.com.

The marathon webpage said 18,000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in the marathon and half marathon. passed through Decatur last year.

A course description on the marathon website says that runners will run along College Avenue, the Agnes Scott College campus, Commerce Avenue, East Ponce de Leon Avenue and Clairemont Avenue.

Roads will be closed in this area from about 7:40 a.m. to about 10:45 a.m.