GREENSBORO, NC--(Marketwired - Jul 24, 2013) - It takes a lot to run a town, and in Greensboro, the community is finding that running itself is helping to do so. The area surrounding the Greensboro Marriott Downtown is becoming a center for East Coast track and field meets, and two events this summer are expected to bring thousands of athletes, family members and spectators to North Carolina A&T University hotels .
This summer, top athletes flock to the city for both the New Balance Outdoor Nationals and the 2013 USA Track & Field Junior Olympics National Championships. Both events will take place at NC A&T University, near downtown Greensboro.
"We are becoming the place where people want to run," says DePaul Mittman, a retired track and field coach with Guilford County Schools and the current director for the states indoor and outdoor meets.
Mittman expects more than 9,000 athletes at the expanding Junior Olympics alone, and the Greensboro Convention & Visitor's Bureau estimates the economic impact from both events to bring in around $29 million to the area. "You can see the economic impact not only in Greensboro, but the surrounding counties," Mittman says. "These events are big for the restaurants, the hotels and the shopping centers in the Triad."
The city won bids to host the two track and field events because of its vendors, facilities, location, numerous places to stay in Greensboro, NC and access to the airport, Mittman says. But the events don't run themselves, and hundreds of volunteers are needed to make the meets a success.
"We need volunteers to help with raking the pits, helping put the cross bars up and we need volunteers at the finish line who are handling the water cups," Mittman says. "With all of these events going on at the exact same time, we need a large number of volunteers to help us run the events and run them efficiently."
About 850 volunteers are needed to help with both events, Mittman says, and anyone who's at least of high school age and can be in the sun for long periods of time is encouraged to donate their time. In addition to helping the community, volunteers will receive a free t-shirt and meals.
About the Greensboro Marriott Downtown The Greensboro Marriott Downtown might be surrounded by historic streets and antiques shops, but it offers a stay that would please any modern-day traveler. Located in the heart of the revitalized city center, this Greensboro hotel offers spacious accommodations with plush bedding, ample work space, a flat-screen TV, high-speed Internet access, in-room dining and coffee/tea service. Relax and re-energize in the fitness center and indoor pool. Enjoy a creative American meal at Bistro 40, featuring a casual yet stylish ambience, or explore bistros, fine-dining restaurants and breweries in the surrounding area. The hotel is also just blocks from the Greensboro Grasshoppers Baseball Stadium, Center City Park, National Science Center, Children's Museum, Historical Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, live theater and full-service spas. Host meetings, celebrations and more in this hotel's 24,000 square feet of event space. Its Southern Crescent Ballroom can accommodate up to 1,000 guests.
CONTACT: Greensboro Marriott Downtown 304 N. Greene Street Greensboro, North Carolina 27401 1-336-379-8000 www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/gsodt-greensboro-marriott-downtown/
