UPDATE: ‘Run From the Cops’ canceled due to low numbers

Metro Wire Staff

The Stevens Point Police Department’s annual “Run From the Cops” 5K fun run/walk has been canceled.

The sixth annual event was scheduled for Sept. 7. Officer Alex Beach, co-organizer of the event, said low registration numbers forced the police officer’s association to call it off.

“It’s a pretty tough call to make, but we don’t have a choice,” Beach said Friday morning, adding in years past, a large number of registrants signed up in the two weeks prior to the event. But on Friday, Beach said the numbers were just too low—about one-third of what they normally see.

“We’ll reorganize and rethink it for next year,” he said, adding everyone who has signed up for the Sept. 7 5K this year will be issued refunds.

The event benefits local youth organizations and officers and their families during times of crisis. This year’s community recipients were to include Special Olympics of Wisconsin, the Stevens Point Child Safety Center, Christmas for Children, Jefferson Elementary School, the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, and the Stevens Point K-9 Unit.