The Arenzville Burgoo committee announced on July 15th that it had canceled the tradition burgoo for the year. However, many events surrounding the burgoo are still being held. David & Nicole Meyer who chair the 5K Run for the Goo implemented an idea that they were working on last year to help folks still participate in the run but do it safely amid the ongoing COVID-19 concerns: “One of our friends that is a re-Gooer, as we like to call them, recently moved out to Hawaii. Last year, she suggested that we have a way to participate in the 5K virtually, even last year so she could participate. So, last year, we had 5 or 6 virtual 5Kers. One in Boston, some here in Illinois, as well as 2 out in Hawaii and 1 in California. With COVID-19 happening, we started talking about how to potentially going completely virtual and we were basing it off of the decision about the burgoo.”
David says the Goo’ers Away from Goo, as they are called, have a special way to verify their time and their completion of the 5K: “You have a full week to run 3.1 miles on your own, and we suggest timing it by some sort of tracking device usually done with your [smart]phone. There’s a few apps out there that are free to use. Strava, Garman, RunKeeper those are just a few. Any avid runner probably has some sort of system. All we ask is that you take a screenshot and then submit it to us via email.”
Nicole says the great thing about last year’s virtual 5K runners was photographs: “We also want to see as many pictures of people out and about running, and the scenery around them. That was probably the best thing about the virtual Goo’ers last year.”
David says that all participants will get their Goo t-shirts and some surprise swag for this year. Registration is $25 plus a $2.50 sign up fee online, and you can find Run 4 the Goo on Facebook and through their own website. The Meyers said they will also have paper forms scattered at locations around Arenzville for local participants to fill out and turn in. The week long race is set for September 12th through the 19th.
Along with the 5K, the tractor pulls are still scheduled to be held and the Burgoo committee is currently mulling a drive-through style kettle service. The committee is expected to make a final announcement on the drive-thru some time in the next week.