The Chapel Hill Police Department is preparing to host its annual Guardians of the Hill 5K race.

This year, the 5K will be Saturday October 12 at the Southern Community Park in Southern Village. The course consists of running north on the greenway to the intersection of Culbreth Road and US 15-501 before running back to the park.

Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue says he believes the course is a good selection because runners won’t have to worry about traffic or difficult directions.

“The cool thing about this run is that it’s a very unique course,” he says. “There’s hardly any conflict with any roadways because you’re on the greenway, so you can really get out there and move. It’s a great and challenging course.”

Chapel Hill Police Captain Josh Mecimore helps organize the event each year and says he’s proud of the department’s history in partnering with Special Olympics.

“Over the little more than 25 years we’ve been supporting Special Olympics,” Mecimore says, “the Chapel Hill Police Department has raised over $1.5 million to support them. In many of those years, we’ve been the leading agency in the state; most we’ve been in the top ten.”

Mecimore says while the department holds other smaller events to raise money for Special Olympics, the 5K is their marquee fundraiser.

“I think it’s important,” he says, “because it allows the athletes who participate in Special Olympics to be able to participate throughout the state in the Special Olympic Games.”

Blue says while runners start their race at 9 a.m., there will be more activities after the race is finished. He also said people will have the chance to learn about Chapel Hill’s different emergency services.

“In addition to the run itself,” says Blue, “we’ll have some informational booths set up for the police department, fire department and Orange County Emergency Services, so people can get a chance to interact with some of the first responders who are serving our community. [They can] spend some time with them and have a little fellowship both before and after the run.”

Parking for the Guardians of the Hill 5K will be available at the Southern Community park-and-ride lot. Registration for the 5K is $25 per runner and runs through Friday, with signup available here.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Police Investigating 2 Vehicle Thefts, Other Break-Ins
Update: A spokesperson for the Chapel Hill Police Department confirmed Thursday afternoon that the car stolen from Highgrove Drive was located and returned to its owner. A string of vehicle break-ins overnight on Wednesday left two residents without cars, according to Chapel Hill Police. An alert from the department Thursday morning shared there were several […]
Chapel Hill Police Offer Tips to Keep Houses Safe During Holiday Travels
It’s one week until Christmas, but many people are already out-and-about doing some traveling or maybe some shopping. But while you’re away from home, law enforcement wants to make sure your property is protected by sharing some tips to prevent any holiday thieves. The Chapel Hill Police Department are taking steps to ensure that everyone […]
Chapel Hill Police Looking For Witnesses in Sexual Assault Investigation
The Chapel Hill Police Department released a statement Wednesday saying authorities want to speak with two men captured from surveillance cameras who might have seen an alleged sexual assault in the parking deck of Shortbread Lofts. The two men pictured here are believed to be witnesses to an incident that took place in the early […]
Downed Trees Close Stretch of Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill Tuesday Morning
Overnight storms felled trees along a popular thoroughfare in Chapel Hill on Tuesday, leaving morning travelers to find a detour.
Update: 2 Arrested After Gunfire at North Roberson Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating reports of shots fired at the edge of the Northside neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
Police: UNC Student Victim of Carjacking in W. Franklin Street Parking Deck
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the carjacking of a UNC student that took place early Saturday morning. No injuries are reported.
Chapel Hill Police Say Missing Teenager Safely Located on Sunday
UPDATE: Chapel Hill Police shared an update at 5:17 p.m. on Sunday saying Dakota Smith was safely located.
Chapel Hill Police Identify, Charge Third in High-Speed Chase and Shooting From January
Chapel Hill Police delivered 17 charges stemming from the Jan. 25 shooting to 19-year-old Maurice Keys as he was held in Durham County.
Chapel Hill Police Safely Locate 42-Year Old Woman Reported as Missing
UPDATE: The Chapel Hill Police Department said Monday morning that Kimberly Austin has been safely located.
Lee County Man Charged With Impersonating Chapel Hill Police Officer
A Lee County bail bondsman was arrested and charged last week with three counts of impersonating a law enforcement officer. The North Carolina Department of Insurance said Sanford resident Deshawn Dante Townes, 32, identified himself as a Chapel Hill Police officer during a visit to the Orange County Housing Authority on January 29 while trying […]
›