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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?
Contact: OmahaFFHS@gmail.com