The Arnold Police Officers Association’s Behind the Badge Pumpkin Run will return for its second year.
The event is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River.
Participants may register for the race at the association’s website, apoamo.org. The cost to participate in the 5K run or 1-mile walk is $35, and the entry fee includes a free T-shirt.
The deadline to register for the race is Friday, Oct. 21.
Kevin Wilson, an Arnold Police officer and Arnold Police Officers Association vice president, said 63 runners had registered for the race as of Oct. 14.
The first Pumpkin Run, held last year, attracted 135 participants and raised more than $2,500 for the association.
“While we like to raise money for our association and charities, we are more focused on interacting with the community in a positive way,” Wilson said. “We hope the number increases, but we will not be disappointed if it doesn’t. It will still be a good turnout.”
He said the Arnold Police Officers Association uses funds it raises from events like the Pumpkin Run to cover the cost for its Shop with a Hero event, which pairs children with a representative from either the Arnold Police Department, Rock Community Fire Protection District, Rock Township Ambulance District or Jefferson County 911 Dispatch agency for a $100 shopping spree at Walmart in December. Some money also goes to charitable organizations.
Wilson said the association already has collected enough money this year for Shop with a Hero, and the group plans to donate funds raised from the run to a charity that will be determined at a later date.
He also said the association received a $4,000 grant from the Arnold Tourism Commission to help cover the cost of holding the run.
Along with the run and walk, the event will feature free snacks and drinks. A DJ also will play music throughout the event.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the event’s nine age brackets – 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older.
There also will be an award for the fastest Fox C-6 School District student who completes the race.
A group of judges will determine the best costume among the runners and award a prize to the winner.
For more information about the run, go to the association’s website or email APOA63010@yahoo.com.