FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2014) – As the seventh annual Cops & Joggers 5K quickly approaches, the Fort Myers Police Department encourages participating joggers to register early.

The early registration fee for the annual 5K is $20 per adult and $15 per youth, 17 years old or younger, on or before Oct. 9. Fees increase to $25 per person on Oct. 10 and $30 per person on Oct. 11 for all participants. Participating joggers may register online with the Fort Myers Track Club at www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.

Benefiting the families of fallen police officers and firefighters, this year’s Cops & Joggers 5K and Family Fun Night will take place at Centennial Park, located at 2000 West First Street in downtown Fort Myers, on Oct. 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. Beginning at 7:45 p.m., the 3.1 mile run begins and ends at Centennial Park and will cross the Edison Bridge with the glow of first responders’ lights lining the race path. The annual event will include food and merchandise vendors, police equipment displays, a vehicle smash, music and a kids fun area with bounce houses, a dunk booth, children’s SWAT obstacle course, family activities and more.

“We’re excited to see our large crowd of supporters in their best neon attire ready to ‘run from the cops,’ as we hope to reach our goal of 1,000 runners this year,” said Lieutenant Jeffrey Bernice of the FMPD. “It is an honor that we run in the memories of these fallen warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community.”

Hodges University, JetBlue Airways and Scanlon Auto Group have signed on to sponsor this year’s event. For more information about sponsorships, contact Denise Egolf at degolf@fmpolice.com or 239-321-7723.

The Fort Myers Cops & Joggers 5K was first 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 this year’s event will benefit the FMPD Fallen Officers Memorial Fund and The Brotherhood Ride, both organizations aid the families of fallen police officers and firefighters who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.

For more information about the event, contact Lieutenant Jeffrey Bernice at jbernice@fmpolice.com or 239-321-7698.