ROCK ISLAND, Illinois — Quad City runners celebrated the start of October with the first Lederhosen 5k on Saturday, Oct. 1, in Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island. Many runners dressed up for the race in their best German garb (or tracht, in German).
Kids had their own half-mile run called the Kinderlauf that began at 9 a.m.
Afterward, they gathered for an Oktoberfest post race party full of beer, German food and music.
"If you don't have a lederhosen costume in your house, what's wrong with you? Do you not know Iowa was founded by German people? Come on. Get in the spirit, get an outfit, get a very large stein, and join in the celebration of fall," said runner Leslie Mitchell.
Money from the raise goes to Rock Island's Church of Peace food pantry mission. Last year, the pantry served more than 1,600 families and supplied more than 38,000 pounds of food.
For more information on the 5k, visit www.lederhosen5k.com.