FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 2, 2016) – The Fort Myers Police Department announces its Ninth annual Cops & Joggers 5K and Family Fun Night to be held on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at 2000 West First Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Benefiting fallen first responders, the annual Cops & Joggers 5K will take place during the evening hours with the glow of first responders’ lights lining the race path, which begins and ends at Centennial Park and crosses the Edison Bridge. The race will begin at 7:45 p.m. The family event will also include music, food vendors, emergency equipment displays, and a children’s fun area with bounce houses, a dunk tank, SWAT obstacle courses and more.
Last year’s event hit a new record of 960 registered joggers and raised more than $20,000 for local first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. “We’ve experienced consistent growth in the number of race participants in the last few years and are grateful for returning joggers who support our cause year after year,” said Lt. Jeffrey Bernice of the FMPD. “We hope to reach our new goal of 1,000 registered joggers this year and encourage families and groups, including organizations and clubs, to join in on the fun in achieving that goal.”
Sponsorship opportunities for the event are now available from $250 to $1,000. Sponsorships should be reserved no later than Thursday, Sept. 8. For more information about sponsorships or to become a sponsor, contact Denise Egolf at degolf@fmpolice.com or 239-321-7723.
The Fort Myers Cops & Joggers 5K was established in 2008 to assist the family of Officer Andrew Widman who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 18, 2008. Proceeds from the event now benefit the FMPD Fallen Officers Memorial Fund and The Brotherhood Ride, nonprofit organizations that aid the families of first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty, including law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
For more information about the event, contact Lt. Bernice at 239-321-7698 or jbernice@fmpolice.com.
