Paul and Linda Simonsen of Buxton receive the Volunteers of the Year award for their medical service at the Beach to Beacon road race in Cape Elizabeth. Pictured, from left, are Linda Simonsen; Joan Benoit Samuelson, race founder; Chris Troyanos, medical services coordinator; and Paul Simonsen.

Paul and Linda Simonsen of Buxton have been honored as Volunteers of the Year for their service at the Beach to Beacon 10K road race in Cape Elizabeth.

They’ve volunteered at the finish line medical tent since the inception of the race 18 years ago.

The Simonsens are both physical therapists.

“Receiving this award is quite an honor,” Linda Simonsen said in an email this week. “We consider it a real privilege to serve in the medical tent with a great team of clinicians.”

They were nominated for the award by Chris Troyanos, medical services coordinator for the race, which attracts runners from around he world.

“Both are longtime medical volunteers, playing a leadership role on race day and our pre-event planning,” Troyanos wrote in his nomination letter. “Paul and Linda are the consummate volunteers, always asking how they can help, coming early, staying until the last items are loaded up in our trucks and making sure the fort is exactly as we found it.  

“They have run the orthopedic section of the medical tent each year with a level of professionalism and caring second to none.  They do so with no pretenses or stipulations … only that they are happy to help and be a part of the larger team.”

The Simonsens have lived in Buxton 32 years.

Paul Simonsen works for InterMed Phyical Therapy and Linda Simonsen said she is “newly retired” from Maine Medical Center’s Department of Rehabilitation.

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