Expect Big Turnout, Big Prizes at Mendota Heights 5K

“I run in a lot of races and this is the only race that starts with an automatic machine gun,” said Dale Eberhardt of Mendota Heights. “It’s not your average race.”

The city of Mendota Heights will host their sixth annual 5K in support of the Special Olympics Saturday, June 4 at the Village. The even runs as a complement to the , which kicks off at 10 a.m. at Mendakota Park.

Sergeant Neil Garlock of the Mendota Heights Police Department is not only the one who pulls trigger of the AR15 assault rifle when the race begins at 9 a.m., he has also been the race director for the event since it began six years ago.

This year he expects to have over 300 people participate in the race by running, walking, jogging or pushing strollers.

Garlock anticipates that the finishing times for the participants will likely range from 16 minutes to over an hour.

All the while, participants are supported by police officers directing traffic in cars and on bikes, handing out supplies and cheering at the finish line.

“Anyone can do it. You can run it. You can walk it. It’s pretty user-friendly,” said Eberhardt, who’s eager to run this year, just as he has since the first race five years ago.

Money raised from registration fees, t-shirt sales and general donations will be donated to the Special Olympics. Last year, the event netted $4,300 in donations.

Officer Jennifer Fordham of the is not only involved in planning this event, but in all department events that support the Special Olympics. After volunteering to hand out medals to the athletes at the competition years ago, she said she became a passionate advocate for the organization.

“It was amazing to get to interact with the athletes, who looked at me like I was a hero, but what I really took away from that day was that the athletes were the real heroes!” she said. “I was so inspired by these athletes, inspired by their courage, their bravery, their acceptance of all people, their kindness toward others. I knew right then I wanted my police department to get more involved.”

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers by age group and, for those not up to competing toward a 16-minute finish, there are plenty of door prizes up for grabs. This year, the value of donated goods is expected to exceed $9,600 and includes items such as a one-year membership to Lilydale's Pool and Yacht Club, three 33-inch Vizio televisions and three Samsung Blu-Ray players.

“It’s great because the gifts are probably more than the race fee and it seems like almost everyone gets one,” said Eberhardt.

Registration for the event is $20 in advance or, for those waiting to see how the weather turns out, $25 on the day of the race. Registration forms are available at , at the city website and attached to this article. The registration fee also entitles participants to snacks and refreshments on the race day, a t-shirt for those preregistering, and a chance to win door prizes.