Proceeds from the fifth annual “Cape Cops 5K” Run/Walk will go into a scholarship fund for the families of injured officers for the first time.
The event, which kicks off National Police Memorial Week, will take place Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Cape Coral Yacht Club, at 5819 Driftwood Parkway. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and walkers will begin after the start of the runners. Participants can also register in advance if they want.
According to Cindy Naumann, the Cape Coral Police Department’s community outreach program coordinator and spokeswoman for the event, the proceeds from previous races have gone toward the CCPD’s Shop With a Cop Program.
“Proceeds from this year’s race are going to a scholarship fund for the families of injured officers locally. This is the start of something new, and this is where the funds will go in future years,” she said. “This year we saw the first tragedy in our department with Officer Garcia and we thought that this would be the appropriate time to put the funds toward the families.”
Organizers expect about 30 Cape police officers to participate in the race with a total number of runners of approximately 300. Naumann said that last year’s race had about 280 runners with approximately 30 officers running.
Police Chief Rob Petrovich will participate in the race, which will be led by a couple of police motorcycles with an officer on a Segway pulling up the rear.
The race is open to the public.
“We host it to draw attention to National Police Memorial Week and to give our officers a chance to participate in a community event with the public,” she said.
National Police Memorial Week was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy to recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, according to officials. The week honors officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the protection of others.
Runners and walkers can pre-register for the event by picking up an application from the lobby of the Cape Coral Police Department, located at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd., through today. They can also register online at: www.active.com through today. To pre-register though Friday visit the Run Shoppe, located at 3512 Del Prado Blvd. S.
The cost to pre-register is $18 for adults and $15 for students under 18 years of age. The cost is $25 for all ages to register the day of the event.
Each runner will receive a race day T-shirt and a commemorative coin that has the Cape Cops 5K logo and “In valor there is hope” on either side of it.
Naumann noted that the saying is on the police memorial in Washington, D.C.
Awards will be given out for first, second and third place in more than a dozen age brackets. Trophies will go to the fastest male and female overall and the fastest master, grand master and senior grand master, which are age divisions, she explained. The fastest Cape officer will get an award as well.
After the last walkers finish the race, there will be a Kids’ Fun Run held on the length of the Cape Coral Yacht Club Beach. The race is open to ages 12 and under, and the first 30 finishers will receive a medallion and prizes.
“It’s going to be a beautiful morning, clear skies,” Naumann said. “It’s a nice run through the Yacht Club area neighborhood, and it’s fun time to compete with your local police officers.”