Nighttime Run from the Cops 5K Supports Special Olympics

You can blame Hollywood for glamorizing crime, but have you ever found yourself harboring a curiosity about what it'd be like to be chased by cops without actually having to have a criminal record?

You can satisfy that curiosity and keep your record clean - plus do something great for Special Olympics Washington this August 24 during the first ever nighttime Run from the Cops 5K race in Renton.

Officers from Renton as well as nearby Kent, King County and Tukwila are slated to participate and run - some in full uniform. Organizers are also working on bringing in King County's Guardian One helicopter for an added touch of running by overhead police lights.

Though a Special Olympics event, the Renton run is hosted by the Renton Police Department as one of several Torch Run events officers support each year. Law enforcement officers have also jumped in an icy cold lake during the Polar Plunge and greeted diners at Red Robin during the 'Tip-a-Cop' campaign.

Run from the Cops in Renton was inspired by the original event in Kennewick, Wash., said Special Olympics department representative and Renton Police Officer LeAnn Whitney.

In its third year over on the east side of the state, the event is typically held after dark and serves as a community-building gathering. Renton organizers have modified the event in that it's been moved up to 10 p.m. (it was at midnight in Kennewick). Organizers hope to line the route with patrol vehicles that have their lights going, and for all you slow pokes: if you don't make it across the finish line in 30 minutes, uniformed officers will corral you into a separate holding pen where you will be issued a 'citation.'

All proceeds including registration fees go toward Special Olympics.

Register for the event at the Special Olympics website. Advanced registration is $40 and includes a t-shirt. Day-of registration is $50.

Officials estimate between 500 to 800 people are expected to run. There is no chip timing. The event starts and ends at The Landing.

Any businesses who wish to donate to the cause, please contact Renton Officer LeAnn Whitney at lwhitney@rentonwa.gov or Special Olympics Senior Director of Development Mary Do at mdo@sowa.org.

Kids are welcome. No pets, please.