Captain Fleming’s Third Annual Gator Fun Run

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 Omaha’s 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 Fleming’s 2nd Annual 5K Gator Fun Run. The run will be held inside Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, the original home of the alligators! 

Race Details: 

The race is set to begin at 07:30 CST on April 25, 2026. 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 zoo’s 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 Union’s 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

Contact:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Lowell Ferguson, Treasurer                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Omaha Firefighters Historical Society                                                                                                                                                                                                   

PO Box 6003                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Omaha, NE 68106                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

402-906-1629 (Cell)

OmahaFFHS@gmail.com