Undeterred by COVID-19, O’Fallon VFW adds new twist to seventh annual 1K Fun Run

Although the format has changed, the O’Fallon VFW Charles A. Fricke Post 805 intends to keep the “fun” in the seventh annual .1K Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Postponed from April 4 to Labor Day Weekend because of the coronavirus public health crisis, founder and co-organizer Paul Zinck said it was important they make it happen, despite pivoting to a virtual event. Zinck and his wife, Sharon, have put the new version together, along with other volunteers.

“We pushed it back this spring. We needed to do something. The most important thing is raising funds for the veterans. Locally, supporting veterans is crucial right now. They really need the money with all what’s been going on,” Zinck said.

Because of crowd size restrictions and social distancing guidelines, the run has been transformed into an All-Day-Race-Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. People can complete the course at their pace and whenever and wherever they want. Or, they can do it elsewhere.

Sharon Zink described the race as “super-fun” and said it is for all ages and sizes. The race length of .1K is one-tenth of a kilometer, 100 meters, about 109 yards — or, as Zinck puts it, the length of a city block.

The start and finish lines will be marked downtown on First Street from the VFW Post 805, 221 W. First St., to the red caboose.

“It is a distance that anybody can finish. You can run, walk, hop, skip, jump, crawl, or dance and still finish the race. We believe everybody should race at their own pace,” Sharon Zinck said.

Scooters, strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.

As a VFW member, Paul Zinck imported the idea after seeing one in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Post 805 was on board right away. Support has followed ever since — because of the cause.

Paul Zinck said Saturday’s weather forecast is good, so he hopes they can spread a little cheer.

“Everybody’s been so down. I sure hope we can give people something to be happy about. It’s a great cause,” he said.

The money raised is split between the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and the VFW Post 805 Troop Support Fund, he said.

The national home is a non-profit organization that provides a nurturing community for children, youths and families of veterans, active-duty military and members of the VFW and its Auxiliary opportunities for growth and development.

Through donations to the Troop Support Fund, Post 805 helps veterans and their families in the O’Fallon community when they are in need.

Race registration is available at https://vfw805point1k.com.

Additional event information

The fee is $20, which includes a T-shirt. Teams can also sign up for $90. Donations are tax-deductible. Race packets will be available outside at the pavilion next to Post 805 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The VFW event is supported by 26 sponsors this year.

“Our supporters have been fantastic. People have been generous and really understand what people are going through this year. Not one sponsor asked for their money back. I think that says a lot about our community,” Paul Zinck said.

“We really need to be supportive and stick together,” he said.

Learn more at the Post 805 website, www.vfwpost805.org, or call 618-624-6575.

For more information on the National Children’s Home, visit www.vfwnationalhome.org.