Running for a good cause

WILLIAMSBURG — The Support a Vet Save a Pet 5K was a thought that didn’t happen overnight.

“I had this crazy idea two years ago,” Race director Amanda Wiebold said. “I’ve never even ran a 5k.

Wiebold is the junior vice president for the VFW Auxiliary in Williamsburg. Her husband is a member of the VFW as a veteran who served with the Marines.

Both also volunteer at the Safe Haven of Iowa County.

“I truly believe in both organizations,” Wiebold said. “One of the mission statements of the VFW is community outreach.”

Wiebold believes the 5K race is a great way of doing that, and she’s put a lot of effort into getting the word out on the race and getting sponsorships.

Already over $14,000 have been raised for the causes of both organizations involved.

The 5K has raised money for air conditioning in the Safe Haven pound and has provided funds to send a service dog to Des Moines for training.

“I’ve been grasping at straws to get the word out,” Wiebold said. “We have a goal of 200 participants.”

The race is set for Saturday, Nov. 9. It begins at 8 a.m. and will start and finish at the VFW Auxillary in Williamsburg.

Race day registration will be available.

Anyone who registers by Oct. 15 is guaranteed a race T-shirt.

Online registration can be found here.

With the race becoming bigger than Wiebold anticipated, she is also planning to have a timing company come out to the race.

Members of the Iowa Baseball team will be serving as volunteers along the 5K route.

“I hope to make this an annual event,” Wiebold added.

Following the race, there will be an all-you-can-eat waffle breakfast at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Williamsburg.