By Abby Stetina
The High Ridge Fire Protection District will hold its 13th annual Firehouse 5K for Autism Run on Saturday, April 25.
Registration proceeds will benefit the district’s community outreach program and Easterseals Midwest, a nonprofit that provides those with Autism Spectrum Disorder with the resources and skills needed to live independently.
The 5K and 2-mile run/walk will be at 8 a.m. at High Ridge Fire’s Station 1, 2842 High Ridge Blvd.
Chief John Barton said people may register for the races beforehand or at the event for $30. As of early April, Barton said more than 100 people have registered for the races.
“We’re hopeful and expecting that number of registrants to jump even more once it gets closer to the day of the event,” he said. “It’s a big event that we’ve been doing for them for a long time. It seems to be gaining in popularity every year, which is awesome for us.”
Last year, the event brought in $3,700 for Easterseals, with more than 200 people registered to race. The district has reported giving more than $30,000 to Easterseals since the 5K started 13 years ago.
Like last year, the fire district is offering finisher medals for anybody who completes the 5K race.
The race will use the same down and back course as the previous runs, Barton said, with runners beginning at Station 1, running south on High Ridge Boulevard, crossing over Hwy. PP to Gravois Road, turning around at Franks Road, near Church of Christ High Ridge, and heading back the way they came to finish at the station.
Barton said High Ridge firefighters will be placed along the course to direct traffic and keep participants safe. The boulevard will be closed to traffic briefly at the start of the race, but vehicles will be allowed through once runners are more spaced out, Barton said.
“Every one of these (community) events is really made possible by off-duty personnel and retired members who are still helping with outreach,” he said. “On-duty crews definitely help, but they obviously have to be ready for emergency calls.”
Barton said many first responders from other agencies participate, and some off-duty High Ridge firefighters also will race in their full turnout gear.
