Registration Open for Blue Line Twilight Run 5K/10K at COTC

Registration is now open for the third annual Blue Line Twilight Run 5K and 10K, which will be held in person on Saturday, May 14, 7 p.m., at the Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) Newark campus. Online registration is available at go.cotc.edu/bluelinerun through Wednesday, May 11.

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 15-21. 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; current or former law enforcement personnel receive a $10 discount. Each participant who registers by Saturday, April 16, will be guaranteed an event t-shirt. All participants will receive a souvenir goody bag, and medals will be awarded to all registrants completing the course. Walkers welcome.

In-person late registration will be available from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the campus’ John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center, 1219 University Dr., Newark. A $10 late registration fee will be added per registration. T-shirts and packets with race bibs will be available the day of the race from 3-5 p.m. at the Warner Center.

Events Sponsorships

Event sponsorships ranging from $500 to $2,000 are available, but the COTC Advancement Office is available to work with potential sponsors regarding support in any amount. To learn how you can support this event, contact Melanie Bolender in the COTC Advancement Office at bolender.16@mail.cotc.edu or 740.755.7140.

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.