If Aaron Wagener and his fiance Kate Riley were to tell you the story of how they met, fell in love almost instantly, and decided to get engaged and married within the same year — you might think they were crazy.
And they would probably agree.
But it’s pretty clear after being with Kate and Aaron for just 45 minutes or so that they are crazy about one another.
It’s all thanks to the Car X Crazy K, the zany mud “run” held at the Champaign County fairgrounds to benefit Central Illinois charities. The brainchild of local businessman and Chambana dad to know Parham Parastaran, through its first two years the Crazy K has raised $80,000 for local charities. Parham and his team anticipate raising another $80,000 for charity in 2013 at this year’s Crazy K on Sept. 21.
The Crazy K is a fantastic community event that combines fun, fitness, philanthropy, and family. It is a wacky 5K “race” which also involves obstacles of all sorts — including walking through mud, water, climbing over walls, and scaling hay bales. Teams, as well as individuals, “compete.” (Most people just do it for the fun of it.) Those who enter can designate which charity will receive their proceeds.
A divorced dad of two who lives and works in Champaign, Aaron — a Navy veteran –was at the CrazyK with the Illini Vets. Kate, who grew up in Champaign but was living and teaching high school theater in Cincinnati, went to the CrazyK on the invitation of her sister.
Kate went up to Aaron’s team to ask if she could borrow their vocal chords. She was looking for some help to cheer on her nephew and his friends as they entered the costume contest, and needed a leg up. What she forgot was “how ridiculous” she looked. At the Crazy K, costumes are commonplace. Kate had cat whiskers painted on her face, a feather boa around her neck, and mud — all over.
“We were together for the rest of the night and the rest of ever,” she says matter-of-factly. “It was pretty quick.”
A year later, they will exchange vows at a church across town in Champaign at 11 a.m. — and will then race over to Urbana to run the event in their wedding frocks, wedding party in tow. In fact, it’s where they will have their reception.
Besides the race, there is food, entertainment for all ages (including a kids zone with free inflatables) and live music.
“Since it is our second time (each) tying the knot, we’re just asking for people to come and donate their money to a good cause,” Kate said. “We just want to be a part of what brought us together a year later.”
And there’s still plenty of time for more teams to sign up and be part of the fun, and for volunteers to get involved. If you just want to watch, that’s doable too; spectators over 13 pay $5 each. Kids 9 and under can join the fun at the kids run, which chambanamoms.com is proud to sponsor (much more on the kids run in the weeks ahead).
If you’re there early enough, you’ll see a wedding party charging through the mud, over the walls and in the water. And smiling for every bit of it.
As Aaron said, “You can find anything at the CrazyK — if you look hard enough.”
Laura Weisskopf Bleill is the co-founder and editor of chambanamoms.com. You can reach her at laura@chambanamoms(dot)com.