The Arnold Police Officers Association will hold its first Behind the Badge Pumpkin Run on Saturday at Arnold City Park.
The event will feature a 5K run/walk and a Halloween costume contest at the park, on Bradley Beach Road off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River.
The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and should wrap up around noon.
“We did this to try and raise more money for our Shop with a Cop program and other community outreach programs we are trying to get started,” said Kevin Wilson, vice president of the association.
Entry fee for the run or walk is $30, which covers T-shirts for the participants, free snacks and drinks and the fee for a disc jockey. Participants who preregister at apoamo.org can pick up their race packet from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at Arnold City Hall, 2101 Jeffco Blvd. Registration will also be available on the day of the event.
Wilson said association officials decided on the theme of the event because of the Halloween spirit and because people are active outdoors in the fall. “It is a positive good mood when you go to fall festivals, and that is something we are trying to achieve,” he said.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the event’s nine age brackets, and there will be an award for the fastest Fox C-6 School District student who completes the race.
Judges will determine the best three costumes among the runners and award prizes.
“This event is not only to raise money,” Wilson said. “The Arnold Police Officers Association wants to help the officers and community members build a better relationship.”
Wilson said Arnold Police were able to bring 30 children shopping during last year’s Shop with a Cop program.
“This year, we hope to double or even triple that number, if possible,” Wilson said.