More than 100 pairs of feet will pound the pavement in downtown Gig Harbor on Saturday during the annual Resolution Run for Heroes.

They may not be able to stamp out violence against police officers altogether, but they are taking strides to make life a little easier for victims’ families.

“We think it’s a good opportunity for the community to get together and support police officers and their families,” said race coordinator Kasey Peterson of Century Insurance Services.

The run, which benefits the Behind the Badge foundation, was organized by Puget Sound Business Partners, a local chapter of Business Networking International, after four Lakewood police officers were gunned down at a coffee shop.

“A couple of the girls at BNI have husbands that are police officers,” Peterson said. “It was completely impromptu, and there was such a community outpouring. If a police officer is hurt, they step in and help the family, whether it’s with legal issues or family planning.”

After the first year, organizers felt it was for a great cause and kept it going, Peterson said.

DeAnne Shaw is one of the event’s creators. Her husband is a Pierce County sheriff’s deputy.

“When the group decided to do the race, we wanted to do what we could do, which is help the families,” Shaw said. “It was a great idea to support law enforcement, not just monetarily and not just in times of tragedy. The group decided the race would be the best thing we could do to get people out and show support.”

Now in its third year, the run will begin at 9 a.m. at Skansie Brothers Park on Harborview Drive. Booths will be set up and registration will begin at 8 a.m. New registrations will be accepted until the start of the race.

There will be 10 booths, and radio station KGHP will broadcast live from the event, Peterson said.

“The Red Cross will be talking about winter safety and, there will be raffle prizes,” she said. “We’re trying to make it fun for the entire family, so if one parent runs, there will be stuff for the rest of the family. It’s for families of police officers, so we want families involved.”

Non-runners can donate to Behind the Badge and purchase raffle tickets for prizes, such as men’s and women’s running suits, a blinking safety jacket, a $100 American Express gift certificate or a massage with Harbor Home Massage.

Uniformed police officers will be on hand for photographs with children.

“We want the real runners to come out, but we also want the people with their families, kids and dogs,” Shaw said.

The run attracts everyone from very competitive runners to people who just want to walk the course and have a good time, Peterson said.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said Peterson, who ran the race last year. “People show up with kids with strollers, and some bring their dogs. For the 5K, you can turn back at Donkey Creek Park, or do the 10K, which loops around at Crescent Valley.”

Shaw said the race provided a visible means of acknowledging police officers’ hard work and sacrifice.

“It’s important to us to keep the people that keep us safe in our minds at all times,” she said. “And let the people who put their lives on the line know that they’re not forgotten.”



Lifestyles Coordinator and reporter Susan Schell can be reached at 253-853-9240 or by email at susan.schell@gateline.com.