For 30 years Richard Hayhoe has been an active runner. He's ran 9 marathons and numerous half marathons.
He says no matter how much he trains for each race, the next one is harder than the last.
"You just have to tough it through" Hayhoe said. "It's hard to believe that something so physical is really so mental but there's a huge mental component to it."
But the sight of people cheering you on can make everything from a 5K to a marathon a little easier.
"That cheering does help. I mean you can't slow down and walk when they're cheering for you" Hayhoe said.
Support and encouragement allows runners to make it to the finish line. That's why Capital City River Run needs more volunteers to cheer runners on.
"Making the decision that day saying, 'hey I'm gonna sit on this corner and when those people come by I'm gonna cheer them on'" said race director, Michelle Coss. "Because there isn't a lot of that going on right now so it's really help for those people."
Runners might be out there on their own but the race is all about community.
"There's no doubt that the community embraces the event and we have a lot of support but I'm just hoping to be able to take it to that next level" Coss said.
She wants that next level to mirror Grand Rapids' River Bank Run. Coss believes Lansing can be there we just need more involvement from the community.
Each year Grand Rapids brings over 20,000 runners to city and they tend to spend roughly $80.
"Whether its taking their family out to dinner whether it's staying in a hotel. Whether it's buying tickets to a show at the Wharton Center," Coss said. Money that could also come to Lansing.
The Capital City River Run raises about $60,000 for Impression 5 Science Center, local schools, and several other organizations.
Organizers believe if there are more volunteers cheering runners on than more people will be inclined to get in the race.
"We're just really hoping we can get people to commit to going out and working one of the relay points or working a relay station or really bringing some fun atmosphere for those people" Coss said.
An atmosphere that could make the Capital City River Run a destination event every year.
