Eureka Board of Aldermen Meeting: 5-K Run

Approval was granted at Tuesday evening's Eureka board of aldermen meeting for a first-ever 5-K walk/run to be hosted by Geggie Elementary School on April 30. The race will start at 8 a.m., and is expected to conclude within an hour for most participants.

Pat Grimshaw, physical education teacher at , told the city board that the school staff would like to hold the run as a fundraiser and in support of the Girls on the Run program. He outlined the run's path to start from 430 Bald Hill Rd., then to circle around through the Legends subdivision and the Shaw's Garden area.

Grimshaw said while the target for participants is fourth and fifth graders, adults also are welcome.

He said he had spoken to DARE police officer Jen Werges, of , who committed to providing security.  "We're also going to be seeking about 25 adult volunteers to be stationed at various points of the run route," said Grimshaw.

Grimshaw said he had spoken to Missy Rathman, , about using cones to mark off the route and to shut down designated streets. He said a ball tournament is scheduled for the city's fields later that morning, but that they hoped for the run to be completed before tournament participants arrived to the general Geggie area.

Eureka alderman Don Beckerle (Ward 3) said he thought the run would be an excellent way to get some exposure for the city's new trail program.

Regarding how many run participants to expect, Alderwoman Marilyn Leistner (Ward 2) asked how many runners come to the Eureka Lion's Club annual event. Alderman Wes Sir (Ward 1) estimated that event has built up to between 300 to 400 runners.

Additionally at the board of aldermen meeting, special use permits were approved for the following businesses:

1. Connie's Total Fitness, a fitness center located at 115 East Fifth St.
2. Waddell Concrete, an outdoor storage and display of merchandise with the inclusion of an accessory structure at 420 West Fourth St.
3. Enterprise Leasing Co. regarding a display lot for the rental and/or leasing of automobiles at 410 West Fourth St.

Board members also discussed a $263,713 grant that was received for city trail-related work. Mayor Kevin Coffey said the city's vision is to extend the existing trail system to Pacific, MO.  "I've spoken to Pacific officials, and that's their mission as well," he said.

The current plan is to attach the trail area at Central with the one that leads to Route 66 State Park.

Aldermen Sir said another $100,000 grant is anticipated for Eureka's parks from Trail-Net in St. Louis.

"We hope to connect with area-wide trails, and then eventually into a statewide trail system," said Coffey.