As one of the largest participatory events in Covington, the 33nd Annual Fuzz Run is anticipated to attract over 3,000 participants for its 5K Road Race on Saturday, September 10, 2016. The 5K Road Race has been voted “Best Race in Georgia” for four consecutive years by runners participating in the “Run and See Georgia Grand Prix Series”. The course runs through beautiful Covington past homes and businesses used in popular TV shows and movies. The annual event draws approximately 30,000 runners, walkers, and spectators to the area with most coming from Covington and the surrounding area.

In 1983, the Covington Fuzz Run was established by Captain Willie Davis at the direction of Chief Bobby Moody. Like today, it included a one mile fun run and a 5K road race with funds going to the Police Who Care, Inc (PWC) Fund. Initially, however, the Fuzz Run didn’t bring in the crowds like it does today. After participation dropped to below 50 runners in the mid-1990s, the newly developed Community Outreach Division took over the planning and began promoting the event through the media sources and through its county-wide D.A.R.E. program. Popularity increased. The race quadrupled in size the following year and continued to grow to record numbers last year of 2,985 runners.

When it was created over 30 years ago, the fund helped Covington Police Officers with medical bills and other financial difficulties. As its popularity increased, the fund evolved through the vision of Covington Police Officer Frank Hilton. It serves families of Georgia law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty in addition to benefiting both families in need and charities. Some of the charities that the fund has contributed to include the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Special Olympics, YMCA, Project ReNeWal, the Miracle League, and Shop with a Cop.

This year’s event is again expected to draw huge crowds on September 10th. This one mile Fuzz Run will start at 8 am followed by the Mary Beth’s Bird Run, an age 5 and under dash, at 8:15 am. The 5K Fuzz Run Race will start at 8:30 am. There will also be a pre-race expo on Friday, September 9, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The expo will be held at the Conyers Street Gym located at 1143 Oak Street SE.

To register online, visit www.covingtonfuzzrun.com. Individual pre-registration costs $25.00 and can be completed online by September 8th. A family of four can get discounted pre-registration for $75.00 and must complete registration online by September 8th. T-shirts are guaranteed to pre-registered runners. Individual registration at the expo or on race day costs $30.00. The cost for kids age 5 and under for Mary Beth’s Red Bird Run (Dash) is $10 and includes a t-shirt.