The Great 5k Pumpkin Run

Covid-19 Policies

To prioritize the health and safety of all participants and volunteers we are implementing the following guidelines and procedures.

PARTICIPATION

* Do not participate if

-you are feeling sick or ill,

-have a fever or experiencing flu-like symptoms, or

-you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Individuals from high risk groups for COVID-19 complications should consult their physician before participating.

Participants are strongly encouraged to not attend, or switch to the virtual event if they are experiencing any symptoms.

CHANGES TO GUIDELINES AND PROTOCOLS

As guidelines are updated and/or revised, participants will be notified by social media and the email given at registration.

By registering for this race, you are agreeing to these policies.

Thank you! 🎃

We are currently facing unprecedented, difficult times, and we would like to offer our deepest sympathies for everyone impacted by COVID-19. Our top priority has always been the safety of our participants and volunteers. As such, we are continuing to closely monitor this developing situation.

As of right now, our plan is to move forward with the 5K and Pumpkin Patch only scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 25th.

Unfortunately, The Great 1M Family Trot and The Great Munchkin Village has been canceled this year due to COVID-19-related restrictions and concerns for the safety of children and our high school student volunteers.

However, given the nature of this pandemic, plans can change at any time. If we are unable to move forward with the race, the event will be converted into a virtual run. We will share updates as they occur via email and social media. Feel free to also reach out to us directly at: thegreat5kpumpkinrun@gmail.com or 501.590.0441 with any questions or concerns.

We can’t wait until we can all step-up to the start line together. In the meantime, stay safe and stay active!

-The Great 5K Pumpkin Run Event Team

Who We Are

The following is written from the perspective of a high school student who witnessed first hand the power of Lonoke Open Arms

Over the past six or so years of my life, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in numerous service projects for Lonoke Open Arms. LOA is a home for abused and neglected kids to come to when they have nowhere else to go. These kids are not bad kids; they’re normal kids whom bad things have happened to. It’s not their fault they were born into hard situations. I’ve learned that we can’t judge these kids just because of their past, but instead we need to help them have a brighter future. It really hit me how real these kids’ are one day in eighth grade around Christmas time. I was sitting in class when I noticed the new girl walk in and sit quietly in the back. The next weekend, my family and I went to the shelter to help decorate for Christmas like we do every year. When we walked in, I saw the same girl that joined my history class. She was a normal, nice girl who lived at Open Arms and was a victim. It’s real and all around us, in cities and towns all over Arkansas. These kids face adversity every day for the rest of their lives. They have to live with past memories and some have to deal with moving around to different foster homes.

My family started a pumpkin business several years ago that sells wholesale pumpkins to businesses around central Arkansas. Shortly after we started growing pumpkins, we realized that God had given us a way to help Lonoke Open Arms and ultimately the kids, and it was right there in front of our faces in oranges, whites, greens, yellows, you name it. Together with the Open Arms Advisory Board, we organized the Great 5K Pumpkin Run Event held every year at the Lonoke Depot. Families and runners come from all around to participate. Lots of high school kids and volunteers get there early in the morning on Saturday before the sun has even thought about coming up to start unloading pumpkins and setting up. The runners stretch, the band plays cool tunes, the smell of the grill wafts around making everyone drool, the race starts and kids scream with pleasure when they see all the pumpkins, and they can’t wait to run a mile with Snoopy and Woodstock. It’s a great time for the community to get together, but that’s not the reason for it. People from all over, all walks of life, come to raise money to help the kids of Lonoke Open Arms.

I understand that these kids can’t control all of the bad things that happen to them. That’s why they desperately need people to love them so they learn what is good in the world and the difference between right and wrong. They need us to give up our resources, our time and our prayers. I can only hope that the kids we have been able to help at Lonoke Open Arms have learned as many life lessons from all of us as we have learned from them.