The 13th annual Harvest Moon 5K Night Run and Walk is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Route 66 State Park, 97 N. Outer Road, just east of Eureka.
The event allows participants to explore the park at night when it’s usually closed, said Mary Hampel, one of the race organizers. Runners and walkers wear headlamps provided by the organizers to make their way through the park. Additional lights will be provided by flashlights and glow sticks along the path.
The event was held in September last year, Hampel said, and this year, organizers wanted to lean further into the fall weather by holding it in October.
“It’s so much fun,” Hampel said. “Most people can enjoy Route 66 State Park during the day, but not many can say they’ve enjoyed it after dark. We thought the atmosphere would be better in October rather than earlier in September.”
Donations of money, canned goods and other non-perishable food items collected during the event will be given to the Agape House in Pacific, Eureka Food Pantry, Feed My People in High Ridge, Peace Pantry in Cedar Hill and the Eureka-Pacific Elks for their Weekend Backpack Food Program.
Hampel said $25,000 and more than 5,000 food items were collected last year. She said the goal is to surpass those amounts this year.
“I think, more than other years, that need is greater,” she said. “The price of food has gone up substantially in the past year, and those who have kindly donated in the past to these pantries and to the backpack program are finding it harder to afford food for their own families. All the pantries are witnessing a little bit of strain on their shelves.”
The night will include three separate races. There will be a 1/10-mile Mini Moonie for children 4 years old and younger, the Moonie Mile for children between 5 to 10 years old and a 5K walk or run.
The children’s races are free. Hampel said the boy and girl who finish first in each kids’ race receive a medal, and every child receives a token for a free scoop of ice cream at Culver’s restaurant, 400 Meramec Blvd.
The entry fee for the 5K walk or run is $38, and participants who register in advance are guaranteed a long-sleeved T-shirt and headlamp.
Online registration is open through Wednesday, Oct. 2, at harvestmoonrun.org.
Online registrants may pick up their shirts and headgear and those who wish to register in person can do so at the Timbers of Eureka Recreation Center, 1 Coffey Park Lane, from 2-6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.
Hampel said runners and walkers can sign up the day of the race, but the supply of T-shirts and headlamps will be limited.
Before the race, participants are encouraged to donate food items to fill a flatbed truck provided by Midwest Motors. The first participant to correctly guess the number of items in the truck will win a free registration to next year’s Harvest Moon Run, Hampel said.
Members of the Eureka and Pacific Chambers of Commerce compete against each other to see which group donates the most food items in the weeks leading up to the race.
Hampel said those interested can volunteer during the event as “pathlighters” or the day after to help sort and deliver the food.
“The pathlighters are instrumental in cheering on our 5K participants and also lighting the path,” she said. “Everyone has a headlamp, but it’s also helpful to have pathlighters on the course. We accept people of all ages – Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, National Honor Society (students) – anyone who needs service hours. The day after the event, we have a lot of the pantries and the backpack program who come and pick up the food items.”
The Elks will sell hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, water and soda as part of a $5 grill deal during the event. Proceeds from the concessions will go to the Elks’ Weekend Backpack Food Program.
Hampel said those who participate not only get to experience Route 66 State Park after dark but also help the Harvest Moon Run give back to the community.
“The cost of food and the cost of living has gone up,” she said. “We do have our hunger mission, but Peace Pantry and Feed My People also help with utility bills, so the money we give them could also go to subsidize utilities and purchase personal care products and other things beyond food.”