Karen for a Kause

The Karen for a Kause 21st Annual 5K & 1 Mile is a long-standing community tradition scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the historic riverside setting of St. Charles, Missouri. This event serves as the primary fundraiser for the Karen Weidinger Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women with the knowledge and support necessary to combat breast cancer. A key feature of this foundation is its commitment to local impact, ensuring that 100% of the funds raised stay within St. Charles County to assist resident patients and survivors. The race day atmosphere is designed to be family-centric, offering competitive timing for serious runners alongside casual options for supporters of all ages.

St. Charles is a historic city situated along the Missouri River, serving as the county seat of St. Charles County with a population of approximately 71,000 residents. It is recognized for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and its role as the first state capital of Missouri. The demographic profile is approximately 84% White, 6% Black, 4% Hispanic, and 3% Asian. The community is characterized by a high quality of life and strong local networks, with a median household income of roughly $79,000 USD. Frontier Park, located on South Riverside Drive, acts as the city's premier outdoor venue, offering 16 acres of green space and direct access to the Katy Trail, providing a flat and scenic course for the morning's races.

All registered 5K and 1-mile participants receive a customized event T-shirt and are entered into a drawing for various attendance prizes. Competitive awards are distributed to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as the leaders in six specific age categories. For those who cannot attend in person, the "Karing from the Kouch" registration allows for a higher-tier donation that includes shipping for the event swag. Packet pickup is scheduled for Friday, May 8, and the morning of the race near the starting line. Rich Hollander serves as the primary contact for this event, which continues to be a cornerstone for breast cancer advocacy in the St. Louis metropolitan area.