FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2015) – The Fort Myers Police Department filled Centennial Park Saturday, Oct. 10 with more than 1,500 people attending this year’s Cops & Joggers 5K and Family Fun Night, including 960 registered joggers for the race.
Benefiting fallen first responders, this year’s event took place during the evening hours with the glow of first responders’ lights lining the race path The 3.1-mile run began and ended at Centennial Park and crossed the Edison Bridge.
“We didn’t reach our goal of 1,000 registered joggers this year, but we’ve set a new record, and that’s definitely something to be proud of,” said Lt. Jeffrey Bernice of the FMPD. “It’s always a job well done when we see Centennial filled with joggers of all ages coming out to support and honor the memories of our fallen warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We would like to thank the community, local businesses and our sponsors for continuing to support our cause.”
The family event included music, food vendors, emergency equipment displays, and a children’s fun area with bounce houses, a dunk tank, SWAT obstacle courses, face painting and more.
Top sponsors for the eighth annual event included Cintas Corporation, JetBlue Airways and Survival Armor. Additional sponsors include Chico’s FAS, Inc., Edison National Bank, Florida Security & Firearms Training, Inc., Good Deals Appliances, Mission BBQ, Scanlon Auto Group, State Farm Insurance, Suncoast Beverage, Papa John’s Pizza and Zaxby’s.
Next year’s Cops & Joggers 5K and Family Fun Night is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016.
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.
Jay Rodriguez & Lt. Jeff Bernice
Jack Rensselaer, Al Kendrick & Paul Szczesny
Ezra Padgham with Wotan
Christina Tarquino, Camden Burchetta & Danielle Riggs
Chris Bevan & Vinny Colombo
Candy & Jeff Morse
Calendar Girls at Cops & Joggers 5K 2015
Zachary Hall with Jessica & Brady O’Keefe
Rico Doro, Kelsey Evanson & Sean Hoover
Nicole & Paige Tansey
Nevaeh Villarreal & Kitty the Clown
John Roberts & Kayla Vetter with Jaxson
