FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 18, 2015) – A number of local businesses and organizations have signed on to sponsor this year’s Cops & Joggers 5K and Family Fun Night to be held on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Centennial Park, located at 2000 West First Street in downtown Fort Myers.
Top sponsors for the eighth annual event include Beasley Media Group, 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.
Sponsorship opportunities, from $150 to $1,000, are still available. Sponsorships should be reserved no later than Friday, Sept. 11. For more information about sponsorships or to become a sponsor, contact Denise Egolf at degolf@fmpolice.com or 239-321-7723.
Benefiting fallen first responders, this year’s event will take place during the evening hours with the glow of first responders’ lights lining the race path. The family event will also include food vendors, music by 96 K Rock and B103.9, emergency equipment displays, and a children’s fun area with bounce houses, a dunk tank, SWAT obstacle courses and more.
Beginning at 7:45 p.m., the 3.1 mile run begins and ends at Centennial Park and will cross the Edison Bridge. The early registration fee is $20 per adult and $15 per youth, 17 years old or younger, on or before Oct. 8. Fees increase to $25 per person for all participants on Oct. 9 and $30 per person for all participants on Oct. 10. The first 700 registered participants are guaranteed an event goodie bag and T-shirt.
“We hope to reach our goal of 1,000 registered joggers this year and encourage families and community groups, including organizations and clubs, to register early and help make that goal possible,” said Lt. Jeffrey Bernice of the FMPD. “As always, participants are running for the memories and honor of these fallen warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Participating joggers may obtain more information and register online with the Fort Myers Track Club at www.ftmyerstrackclub.com.
This year’s race committee will be presenting the top three runners and walkers in their age group with new custom-made Cops & Joggers race medals, which will feature the front of a police car with emergency lights that flash.
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.
