By
Jared Curtis
New running event adds a patriotic element
There are plenty of 5Ks throughout the metro
area, but not many of them have a patriotic
element. That’s why the members of the Central
Iowa Services Shelter & Services Veteran
Outreach Project came up with the idea to hold
a race around the Fourth of July to not only
honor those who served, but also benefit homeless
veterans in the area.
“Our group, including Morgan Dickerson, Cody
Eliff, Mallory Kowal and Sabina Wieczner, wanted
to come up with a summer event that would not
only highlight our veteran outreach program,
but also help spread the word about the new
facilities that will be opening this fall,”
said Alex Rooney, lead coordinator of fundraising
and development for The Veteran Outreach project.
“A few people had suggested a 5K, and we knew
that Des Moines has a great running community,
so we thought it was a great event to tie our
veteran program to the Fourth of July holiday.”
The Veteran Outreach Project works to end homelessness
among veterans by enhancing communication between
veterans and service providers.
“Our main goal is to eliminate the gap of services
homeless veterans face. A lot of the veterans
qualify for benefits, but they might not know
about them,” Rooney said. “We work to educate
veterans about the services that are available
to them and help get them into the programs
and counseling.”
The 5K run starts at Principal Park and heads
toward Gray’s Lake, returning back to the stadium
for the finish.
“The Iowa Cubs had their own 5K a few years
ago but recently stopped doing it. The staff
was looking to put together another 5K, so we
thought it was perfecting timing to try another
running event,” Rooney said. “It has been a
perfect partnership.”
Registration for the event is $35 (www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=8084)
and participants receive a free T-shirt, a parking
pass and a ticket to the Iowa Cubs game against
the Omaha Storm Chasers at 1:05 p.m. Pre-registration
is encouraged, but participants can register
the day of. All proceeds will benefit The Veteran
Outreach Program.
“Since this is our first year, we weren’t sure
how many people would get involved, but we’re
already close to 100 people already signed up,”
Rooney said. “Our goal was 150 people, so hopefully
we’ll get close to that number.”
Awards will be given to the top three male
and female finishers and the top two male and
female finishers in the kids run that follows
the 5K race. There will also be a costume contest
with the best outfits taking home a prize.
“We have a number of prizes for the best patriotic
costumes,” Rooney said. “There should be plenty
of American flag gear.”
Rooney hopes the idea catches on and becomes
an annual event.
“The Veteran Outreach Project is new this year,
so this is the first big event we’ve put together.
We tried to create a fun event where people
can get some exercise and support a good cause,”
Rooney said. “Hopefully the word spreads, and
it becomes a yearly event that people look forward
to around the Fourth of July.” CV |
