Captain Flemings Second Annual Gator Fun Run
- Date Sat 19th April 2025
- Time 7:30AM EST
- Location Omaha, Nebraska
- Price $54.00
- Races 1 race
Event summary
Join us for the Captain Fleming's Second Annual Gator Fun Run on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the iconic Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha, Douglas. This exciting 5K event pays homage to the quirky history of alligators that once wintered in Omaha's Fire Station No. 6. Runners will have the unique opportunity to race through the zoo, starting at 7:30 AM CST, with the course featuring two laps of the zoo's main loop.
For a participation donation of just $50, runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt and enjoy the chance to explore the zoo for the remainder of the day at no extra cost. Spectators are welcome to cheer on their loved ones and can enter the zoo grounds early. This family-oriented atmosphere promises a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit, all while supporting the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society and the Omaha Fire Union's Cancer Benevolent Fund. Don’t miss out on this memorable event that blends history, health, and community!
For a participation donation of just $50, runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt and enjoy the chance to explore the zoo for the remainder of the day at no extra cost. Spectators are welcome to cheer on their loved ones and can enter the zoo grounds early. This family-oriented atmosphere promises a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit, all while supporting the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society and the Omaha Fire Union's Cancer Benevolent Fund. Don’t miss out on this memorable event that blends history, health, and community!
Organiser's Description
BACKGROUND:
From about 1921 to 1925 the city of Omaha wintered alligators in Fire Station No. 6, located at 24th & Cuming street. When the weather turned warm the alligators were transferred to Riverside Park, which today is the location of Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. On March 22, 1922 an alligator escaped its basement enclosure, mounted the stairs, and chased Captain Charles R. Fleming, and the other seven firefighters, from the firehouse. It was an event of some notoriety, receiving several columns of ink in Omaha newspapers.
In memory of this strange, historical moment, the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society (OFFHS) returns with Captain Flemings 2nd Annual 5K Gator Fun Run. The run will be held inside Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, the original home of the alligators!
RACE DETAILS:
The race is set to begin at 07:30 CST on April 19, 2025. The check in desk will sit immediately before the zoo gates. The race start location is near the Mutual of Omaha pavilion; the race route is two laps of the zoo's main loop. Plan to enjoy a fun, family-oriented atmosphere!
DONATION & ENTRY INFORMATION:
A $50 participation donation permits one runner access to the race. Additionally, runners will receive a t-shirt, and are permitted to remain inside the zoo for the balance of the day at no additional cost. Spectators are allowed inside the grounds of the Zoo during the race:
Spectators with or without a Henry Doorly Zoo membership may enter the zoo early to watch their loved one, after paying a fee at the zoos ticket kiosk. The spectator may remain inside the zoo for the balance of the day.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
Donations from the 5K Gator Fun Run will benefit the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society and the Omaha Fire Unions Cancer Benevolent Fund. The Omaha Firefighters Historical Society (OFFHS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Omaha Fire Department was founded in 1860. The mission of the OFFHS is to accumulate, safeguard and to make available for public view - the history of the Omaha Fire Department. The OFFHS collects photographs, artifacts, textbooks, postcards, and artifacts. The OFFHS conducts interviews with firefighters, retirees, and personnel adjacent to the fire department. Pursuant to the mission, the OFFHS shares information through the publication, The Pioneer Hook & Ladder Quarterly (PH&L).
The Omaha Fire Union - Cancer Benevolent Fund is used to help defray the expenses members suffer while under-going treatment for cancer. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of a cancer diagnosis, and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer, than the general public. The Benevolent Fund has no internal fees. Every dollar deposited will be used to assist an Omaha firefighter.
DO YOU WANT TO SPONSOR THE 5K GATOR FUN RUN?
1st Alarm: $1 - $99 Donation
Your name/organization will be printed in the July 2025 Pioneer Hook & Ladder Quarterly (PH&L),
the Society's premier newsletter which highlights the history of the Omaha Fire Department.
2nd Alarm: $100 - $300
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July 2025 PH&L
A one-year subscription to the PH&L
An OFFHS Challenge Coin
3nd Alarm: $301 - $999
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July 2025 PH&L
Your name/organization will be printed on the back of the 5K Gator Fun Run Shirt
Three, one-year subscriptions to the PH&L, to selected addressees
Three, OFFHS Challenge Coin, to selected recipients
4rd Alarm: $1,000 - $4,999
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July & October 2025 PH&Ls,
on a dedicated page.
Your name/organization will be printed on the back of the 5K Gator Fun Run Shirt
T-Shirts are provided to donor, up to five.
Five, one-year subscriptions to the PH&L , distributed as requested
Five, OFFHS Challenge Coins, distributed as requested
5th Alarm: $5,000 - $9,999
Will discuss.
Sponsors - Contact Lowell Ferguson, information below.
UPDATES:
Information regarding the 5K Gator Fun Run will be released on the OFFHS Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OFFHS [https://www.facebook.com/OFFHS]
CONTACT:
Lowell Ferguson, Treasurer
Omaha Firefighters Historical Society
PO Box 6003
Omaha, NE 68106
402-906-1629 (Cell)
[email protected]
From about 1921 to 1925 the city of Omaha wintered alligators in Fire Station No. 6, located at 24th & Cuming street. When the weather turned warm the alligators were transferred to Riverside Park, which today is the location of Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. On March 22, 1922 an alligator escaped its basement enclosure, mounted the stairs, and chased Captain Charles R. Fleming, and the other seven firefighters, from the firehouse. It was an event of some notoriety, receiving several columns of ink in Omaha newspapers.
In memory of this strange, historical moment, the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society (OFFHS) returns with Captain Flemings 2nd Annual 5K Gator Fun Run. The run will be held inside Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, the original home of the alligators!
RACE DETAILS:
The race is set to begin at 07:30 CST on April 19, 2025. The check in desk will sit immediately before the zoo gates. The race start location is near the Mutual of Omaha pavilion; the race route is two laps of the zoo's main loop. Plan to enjoy a fun, family-oriented atmosphere!
DONATION & ENTRY INFORMATION:
A $50 participation donation permits one runner access to the race. Additionally, runners will receive a t-shirt, and are permitted to remain inside the zoo for the balance of the day at no additional cost. Spectators are allowed inside the grounds of the Zoo during the race:
Spectators with or without a Henry Doorly Zoo membership may enter the zoo early to watch their loved one, after paying a fee at the zoos ticket kiosk. The spectator may remain inside the zoo for the balance of the day.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
Donations from the 5K Gator Fun Run will benefit the Omaha Firefighters Historical Society and the Omaha Fire Unions Cancer Benevolent Fund. The Omaha Firefighters Historical Society (OFFHS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Omaha Fire Department was founded in 1860. The mission of the OFFHS is to accumulate, safeguard and to make available for public view - the history of the Omaha Fire Department. The OFFHS collects photographs, artifacts, textbooks, postcards, and artifacts. The OFFHS conducts interviews with firefighters, retirees, and personnel adjacent to the fire department. Pursuant to the mission, the OFFHS shares information through the publication, The Pioneer Hook & Ladder Quarterly (PH&L).
The Omaha Fire Union - Cancer Benevolent Fund is used to help defray the expenses members suffer while under-going treatment for cancer. Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of a cancer diagnosis, and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer, than the general public. The Benevolent Fund has no internal fees. Every dollar deposited will be used to assist an Omaha firefighter.
DO YOU WANT TO SPONSOR THE 5K GATOR FUN RUN?
1st Alarm: $1 - $99 Donation
Your name/organization will be printed in the July 2025 Pioneer Hook & Ladder Quarterly (PH&L),
the Society's premier newsletter which highlights the history of the Omaha Fire Department.
2nd Alarm: $100 - $300
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July 2025 PH&L
A one-year subscription to the PH&L
An OFFHS Challenge Coin
3nd Alarm: $301 - $999
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July 2025 PH&L
Your name/organization will be printed on the back of the 5K Gator Fun Run Shirt
Three, one-year subscriptions to the PH&L, to selected addressees
Three, OFFHS Challenge Coin, to selected recipients
4rd Alarm: $1,000 - $4,999
Your name/organization will be printed, with logo in the July & October 2025 PH&Ls,
on a dedicated page.
Your name/organization will be printed on the back of the 5K Gator Fun Run Shirt
T-Shirts are provided to donor, up to five.
Five, one-year subscriptions to the PH&L , distributed as requested
Five, OFFHS Challenge Coins, distributed as requested
5th Alarm: $5,000 - $9,999
Will discuss.
Sponsors - Contact Lowell Ferguson, information below.
UPDATES:
Information regarding the 5K Gator Fun Run will be released on the OFFHS Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OFFHS [https://www.facebook.com/OFFHS]
CONTACT:
Lowell Ferguson, Treasurer
Omaha Firefighters Historical Society
PO Box 6003
Omaha, NE 68106
402-906-1629 (Cell)
[email protected]
Races
-
Captain Flemings Second Annual Gator Fun Run
Incl. $4.00 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 19th April 2025 (7:30AM EDT)
$54.00
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