Police Captain Ken Malcolm does not want to tell you about the donuts.

That’s because every year, the Covington Police Department makes a commercial for its Fuzz Run. And that commercial, Malcolm says, is kind of a surprise.

“Last year we did a spoof on the ‘Back to the Future’ theme where we went back to our first fuzz run ever,” Malcolm explained. “This year we’re doing a music video spoof…but I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

The rest is for you to figure out. Or wait until it comes out in two weeks — about a month ahead of the race, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 13.

The commercial usually runs on local cable, but the Covington Police Department also runs it on their various social media pages. Malcolm said this has really helped them get the word out about Fuzz Run in the past few years, since social media allows the community to like, share and view the commercial.

But what’s with the humor behind the commercial?

“It’s mainly to generate conversation,” Malcolm said of the cheesy commercials, which they have been doing for the last 15 years. “People are more likely to talk about humorous commercial than a bland one.”

What is the Fuzz Run?

“It’s turned into a major Covington area event,” Malcolm said. They are partnering with the Covington YMCA to put on the race.

The Covington Running Club is hosting a three-week training program in preparation for the Fuzz Run, boosting community involvement.

Last year, the Fuzz Run had a turnout of between 2,300-2,400 runners, not including the additional 1,000 or so people who come to watch the race and support family members or enjoy the vendors set up on the field.

The funds raised by the Fuzz Run go right into community projects, as well as support one of the police department’s own organizations.

“With successes of the last 15 years, we now have a balance of over $100,000,” Malcolm said. “With that we’ve taken on bigger challenges.”

Those challenges include the Newton County Special Olympics, which the police department has majorly sponsored, a $10,000 donation to the Miracle League Field and several other projects in the community.

A large amount of proceeds benefit Police Who Care, an organization founded by a Covington police officer in the ‘70s, that helps officers who have been hurt or families who have suffered the loss of an officer killed in the line of duty.
“It’s something we’re very proud of,” Malcolm said. “Police officers support Police Who Care with deductions from their checks. But our main generating funds come from the Fuzz Run.”

The Fuzz Run is now on its 31st year of operation. You can find the commercial soon on the Covington Police Department’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

For more details about the race, contact the Covington YMCA or visit covingtonpolice.com