The Arnold Police Officers Association (APOA) and Arnold Food Pantry have teamed up to hold a 5K run and 1-mile walk this year.
The Arnold Pumpkin Run will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Arnold City Park, on Bradley Beach Road off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River.
The two nonprofit organizations had previously held separate runs each year to support their causes.
“Our association wants to be more involved with local organizations,” said Kevin Wilson, an Arnold Police officer and vice president of the APOA. “I approached (the food pantry) last year about working with us to help raise money for their cause.
“The Arnold Food Pantry helped me get this event started, and now, we are teaming up to try to make this event even bigger.”
Participants must register in advance through the APOA’s website, apoamo.org. The cost to participate in the 5K run or 1-mile walk is $35, and the entry fee includes a T-shirt.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Food Pantry and the APOA’s benevolence fund, which is used to help police officers and their families and cover costs for local events, such as the annual Shop with a Hero program.
“It is a unique opportunity for the participants in the race and our sponsors to support two nonprofit organizations at the same time,” Food Pantry executive director Ed Fitzhenry said. “It is an opportunity that will hopefully resonate with the Arnold community and the Jefferson County and south St. Louis County region.”
The running and walking course winds through Arnold City Park with participants following the level asphalt paved trail, Wilson said.
Participants will be served free coffee, juice, water and snacks, and Wilson said the APOA will hand out about 60 pumpkins to participants.
Packets may be picked up between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at the Arnold Police Department, 2101 Jeffco Blvd., or by 7:30 a.m. at the park on race day.
Those running or walking are encouraged to wear costumes, and a trophy will be given for the best costume.
“It is a fun way to make it more exciting,” Wilson said.
The APOA started holding the Behind the Badge Pumpkin Run two years ago. There were 84 participants in last year’s run, and Wilson said about 100 people attended the event.
“The event is very exciting, especially with the Farmers Market going on at the same time,” Wilson said. “You can participate in the run or walk and then go to the Farmers Market when you are finished. It is slowly growing, with more people participating.”
The Arnold Farmers Market is near the near the entrance of the park. It is open from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday during the market season, which ends Nov. 11.