It's no surprise that an event known as a “;people's marathon”; depends on volunteer contributions for its success.

About 10,000 volunteers will turn out to support the event, bringing a contagious can-do spirit to everything from pre-race packet pickup to race day refreshment and medical aid.

“;The volunteers are indispensable,”; said Dr. Jim Barahal, president of the Honolulu Marathon Association. “;You couldn't put on a race of this scope without the volunteers.”;

Even in a year marked by the ever-widening effects of the reeling global economy, Honolulu Marathon officials expect final registration numbers to top 22,000, making it the third-largest marathon in the country and seventh-largest in the world.

Several hundred volunteers already are helping with late registration and race packet pickup, which continue through Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Many who have hung up their running or racewalking shoes continue to attend race week activities for the camaraderie fostered by the event.

Bonnie Kolsom, 91, completed the last of her 13 Honolulu Marathons in 2000 but still helps out at the convention center to “;meet all the people I don't do the races with anymore.”;

“;The volunteer group is wonderful,”; said Kolsom.

Though Johnny Faerber moved from Hawaii to Boulder City, Nev., five years ago, the longtime local running coach and guru returns every year to help out at the information booth.

“;I raced for almost 50 years,”; said Faerber, 72. “;Now I'm just trying to give back.”;

Since all 14 of the marathon's on-course aid stations must be set up by the race's 5 a.m. start, many of the school, church, military and civic club volunteers offering water, Gatorade, cold sponges and vocal support put in a long day. After the race, the volunteers at each aid station are responsible for cleaning up all the discarded cups and other garbage in their vicinity.

“;Your average (on-course) volunteer is up by 2 or 3 in the morning getting ready for the race,”; said J.J. Johnson, who oversees the aid stations. “;For me personally and a lot of the volunteers, it's basically giving back to the community.”;

Translators are valued volunteers, helping Japanese participants who in recent years have made up about 60 percent of the marathon's field.

Mami Nikaido, an Argosy University graduate student, began volunteering while studying English seven years ago and now puts in a full-day shift from 4 a.m. to 3 p.m at the finish line medical tent. She translates between weary or ailing Japanese entrants and medical volunteers.

“;I really love talking to the people,”; said Nikaido. “;Most of the (Japanese) people really have a hard time to communicate in English, and they really appreciate somebody helping them.”;

Race officials also praised volunteers who help finishers at the temporary “;tent city”; at Kapiolani Park and the continued participation of armed forces personnel even as deployments reduced their numbers this year.

“;We get great support from the military,”; said Ken MacDowell, co-race director and overall coordinator for the on-course volunteers.

With no qualifying or cut-off time, some participants remain out on the course long after the elite runners finish, with a few coming in after 8 p.m.

Marathon volunteers and staff keep aid stations open and the clock running until the last runner or walker has crossed the finish line.

Some of the volunteers' usual good cheer is tinged with sadness because they are missing two of their longtime leaders this year.

Val Lawson, the marathon's office manager and registrar, clutched a small framed photo of her predecessor Edith “;Edie”; Leiby, and Leiby's friend and able assistant Vivian Murphy at two volunteer briefings earlier this week.

Lawson spoke fondly of Leiby, who died in June, and Murphy, who died in August.

“;They were the forerunners of packet pickup, no pun intended,”; said Lawson.