The Covington Police Department is on the look-out once again, but instead of searching for rule breakers, they are looking for record breakers for the 27th annual Fuzz Run.
The popular event will take place on Sept. 11 this year and begin with the one-mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. and the 5k (3.1 miles) Fuzz Run at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $20 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Police Who Care fund, a local charity that provides assistance to local families in need. Funds also go to help some of the different local organizations, such as the Special Olympics.
"Our main goal is to help local, needy families that we know need immediate help," said Lt. Paul Dailey. "Our officers are out there and on the front lines, and they see the people who need immediate help. We can use these funds to help those people by buying them food or getting them a hotel room – whatever they need.”
The event raised roughly $25,000 last year, which is the goal every year. It has also grown by leaps and bounds, from the first year where there were about 50 participants to last year when there were 2,450.
“Another thing about the Fuzz Run is that everyone comes out to join in the festivities at no cost to them,” said Dailey.
There are inflatables for the kids and several booths set up offering free samples. Kroger will donate bagels at breakfast for those who want them, Johnny’s Pizza will have free slices of pizza and General Mills will be handing out free cereal. There are more than 100 door prizes that have been donated by businesses and individuals in both Newton and surrounding counties. The Fuzz Run is also professionally timed and attracts some of the state’s top runners who can get points for competing.
The ever popular Fuzz Run shirts, which are given to runners or can be purchased from the CPD, will see a change this year. They will be a dry-fit, moisture-wicking shirt, which is what many of the runs around the state are using. According to Dailey they will try that shirt this year and survey participants to see if they should stick with that type or go back to traditional cotton in 2011.
The run has specific age groups defined and the Fun Run will give out awards to first, second and third place male and female winners under 12. The 5k run gives an award to overall first place for male and female runners, awards for the top three places in each age group and awards for the top three places in the public safety category.
Overall winners are not eligible for age group awards. Overall race winners, male and female, will receive a $250 award, with additional $125 awards for a course record bonus. The men’s record is 14:40 and the women’s record is 16:40.
From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sept. 10, participants are invited to the pre-race expo at the Conyers Street Gym. The event, which is sponsored by the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce, is where participants can pick up their package.
The course will run though historic downtown Covington. A map, as well as registration information, can be found on covingtonpolice.com under the Fuzz Run tab. Anyone with questions can contact Dailey at (770) 385-6431.
