BCFPD#2 Light Your Fire 5K comes back strong

By Anne Eickstadt

Editor

The flag flies in Spencer Park to mark the starting and finish lines for the Light Your Fire 5K. Firefighters are scattered along the course to keep runners safe.

“The Boone County Fire Protection District #2 Women’s Auxiliary created the run eight years ago. The auxiliary is made up primarily of wives and girlfriends of District #2 firefighters but it doesn’t really matter,” said Michelle Dixon, event coordinator. “We do this for the Boone County District #2 Fire Association. We are a volunteer organization. We collect for District #2 and the OSF St. Anthony Medical Center Burn Ward. 

“This is our seventh annual 5K. This year should have been our eighth event but the pandemic shut us down last year. Our firefighters go out and stop traffic so the runners can pass across streets safely and we have course marshals to make sure everyone knows where they are going.

“We have about 100 participants pre-registered this year. We have an early start time at 8:30 a.m. for those runners and walkers who do not want to be close to a crowd but the majority of participants will begin at 9 a.m. Goodwill sponsors a party of runners/walkers as part of their insurance Wellness program.

Steve Summers of 95.3 The Bull was on hand to announce the start of the race. Lifeline Ambulance was also on hand to take care of any possible injuries or health issues that might occur.”

Sponsors for the event include: Hallen Burial Vault Inc., Kunes Auto Group, American Rigging & Millwright Service, Smokin’ Coop BBQ, Kelli Wensky – Keller Williams Realty, Ollmann Ernest Martin Architects, Gallano Trucking, Absolute Fire Protection, Midwest Family Broadcasting, Athletico, Canteen, Vending Co., Flo Nutrition, Cordray Bros. Deer Acres Demo, Concordia Lanes, United Sanitation Services, Axis Seed, RPM’s – Rick Arwood, Jeff’s Lettering, Dukes & Lords, Fleet Feet, Stitches by Taylor, Marv’s Towing, Pick a Dilly Antiques, J Kirk Photography and Christina Rae Salon.