NEWARK – There is still time to register for the second annual Blue Line Twilight Run 5K and 10K, which will be held in person at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, at Rotary Park, adjacent to the Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) Newark campus.
The event will kick-off at 6 p.m. with a free half-mile Kids Fun Run for youth 10 and younger. Online registration is available at go.cotc.edu/bluelinerun through Wednesday, April 28.
The Blue Line Twilight Run, a collaboration between COTC and the Licking County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), honors law enforcement personnel as they prepare for National Police Week, May 9–15. Proceeds from the Blue Line Twilight Run will benefit COTC's Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr. Award for Character and Dedication to Public Service and the LCSO's Stuff the Backpack fund.
Registration
Blue Line Twilight Run entry fees are $35 per person for non-law enforcement personnel and $25 per person for current or former law enforcement personnel. All participants will receive a souvenir goody bag, and medals will be awarded to all registrants completing the course. Walkers are welcome. All registration and event activities will occur outside and adhere to national, state and local COVID-19 health and safety guidelines current at race time.
In-person late registration will be available from 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, at Rotary Park, 925 Sharon Valley Road. A $5 late registration fee will be added per registration. T-shirts and packets with race bibs will be available from 3–5 p.m. the day of the race at the Rotary Park Pavilion.
Kids Fun Run registration
Participation in the Kids Fun Run is free, but in-person registration on race day is required and will be available from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at the Rotary Park Pavilion. All Fun Run participants will receive a completion medal.
Support a future peace officer and local school kids
COTC's Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr. Award for Character and Dedication to Public Service is presented by the Cottrell family in memory of Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr., who was senselessly killed in the line of duty while working in the Knox County town of Danville in January 2016. Cottrell was born in Newark and graduated from COTC's basic police academy in 2002. He served in law enforcement for more than 14 years. Established by Cottrell's mother, Melissa Osborn, and sister, Nicole Kohlmier, the award is presented at each COTC Peace Officer Basic Training (POBT) graduation ceremony during the academic year. The $1,000 award helps the recipient with equipment purchases and other expenses associated with beginning a law enforcement career. Endowing the fund will allow for three $1,000 awards annually from the endowment's interest, leaving the fund's principal untouched so the award can exist in perpetuity.
Stuff the Backpack is a program created by the LCSO to help underserved school-age children in Licking County schools served by the LCSO prepare for the new school year. Uniformed officers shop for school supplies with an identified child and their family, creating positive relationships with law enforcement in a fun-filled, encouraging atmosphere.
Thanks to the following Blue Line Twilight Run 2021 sponsors: Licking Memorial Health Systems, the Romine Company, Affordable Portable, Alphalink Technologies, Donaldson Real Estate, Super Duty Truck Parts, MPW and the TrueCore Foundation.
