The 8th annual “Fun with the Fuzz 5K Race” starts at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday April 22, in Bellingham. This year Fun with the Fuzz is honored to have Mt. Vernon Police Officer Mike “Mick” McClaughry participating. Officer McClaughry was critically injured on December 15, 2016 while investigating a disturbance call in Mt. Vernon.
The Fun with the Fuzz 5k Race is an annual road race which begins and ends at the Bellingham Police Department, 505 Grand Avenue. Both runners and walkers are welcome to this fun race which winds through the streets of Bellingham. The goal of the race is to raise donations, as well as awareness, for the Behind the Badge Foundation.
The Behind the Badge Foundation is a Washington non-profit foundation that honors the sacrifices of officers who have suffered a line of duty death or catastrophic injury. 100% of the proceeds will be donated directly to the Behind the Badge Foundation, thanks to the run's numerous sponsors and volunteers.
Fun With The Fuzz 5k has more than tripled in the number of participants from the inaugural race in April 2010. Last year's race had over 1,500 runners. A total of over $220,000 has been donated to the Behind the Badge Foundation from the first seven annual races.
Kyle Nelson, Kent Poortinga and Luke Kress are the founders of Fun with the Fuzz. Nelson and Poortinga are Bellingham police officers. All three founders have been overwhelmed and thankful for the support from the Bellingham community. Businesses who have donated and sponsored so generously, as well as the participation from runners in the race for the past seven years. Fun with the Fuzz 5k has proved to be a great time for citizens and local Law Enforcement Officers. The opportunity to meet and participate in a fun and positive environment makes this a special annual event!
