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Get ready for the Fuzz Run
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With the heat wave still in full effect, the Covington Police Department is already getting loose in anticipation for their 24th annual Fuzz Run.

"It's as much fun as you can have with the police department," said CPD Captain Ken Malcom.

The Fuzz Run is a 5K run that begins and ends at the Conyers Street Gym on Sept. 7-8. The event raises money for the police department's charity Covington Police Who Care. Last year the event raised almost $30,000 for the charity, which distributes the money for different needs around the county and city. For those worried about the extreme heat, Malcom said participants will be offered a variety of free liquids to help them stay hydrated. Contestants can also walk instead of running during the event.

"We have just as many walkers and non-competitors as we do runners," Malcom said. "It's really just for fun."

Also in an effort to beat the heat, a one mile fun run for kids will start at 8 a.m. and the main 5K run will begin at 8:30 a.m.

A registration fee of $13 is charged for participants who register before Sept. 1 and a $16 fee for those who sign up later.

 Runners receive a race shirt, free food and a chance to win a number of door prizes.

There are 16 age group categories with awards given to overall first place male and female runners, as well as a male and female winner for masters first place and grand masters first place. The trophies and cash prizes are given to the top three places in each age group.

The run will also include an eclectic mix of vendors from around the area setting up shop, said Lisa Powell, director of programs for the Newton County Chamber of Commerce.

Powell said in the early years of the run, most of the expo booths had to do with health, but community response was so overwhelming other merchants had to be allowed in the event. Now banks, churches and builders also have booths and tables.

"I would say that people are exposing their business to over 3,000 people," Powell said. "So I think they are doing pretty good business. It's all about name recognition."

On Friday, the vendors will be set up inside the gym while on Saturday they will be located on the baseball fields adjacent to the gym. Each booth is located in an eight-by-eight-foot space. A six-foot table and two chairs are provided.

Aug. 31 is the deadline to register for the business expo. Registration for members of the chamber is $75 for one day or $125 for both days. Non members must pay $95 for one day or $150 for both days.

Anyone interested in registering for the business expo can call the chamber at (770) 756-7510 or visit their Web site www.newtonchamber.com and click on the calendar of events. To register to participate in the Fuzz Run, visit the Web site www.covingtonpolice.com/fuzzrun or stop by the CPD.