Warner Robins Police Department hosting annual Glow Run this weekend

WARNER ROBINS — The Warner Robins Police Department is hosting its annual glow-in-the-dark 5K race, known as the Glow Run, this Saturday, Oct. 18, at Freedom Field. 

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with the race starting at 8 p.m. In addition to the race, there will be food trucks on site along with touch-a-truck vehicles, bouncy houses, and vendors. All the proceeds raised at the Glow Run will be donated to the Special Olympics of Georgia. 

Asset and Surplus Sales Administrative Secretary for the Warner Robins Police Department, Tonie Hale, said the 5K started as a fundraiser years ago after an officer was diagnosed with cancer. The race was held at night, and in 2019, the Glow Run was born. 

According to Hale, the race’s director, the Glow Run has seen its numbers decrease since its inception, with about 1,000 runners in its first year. 

“COVID really put a hurting on the 5K, but we’re trying to bounce back from that,” she said. “I will say that last year we were at 568 runners and right now we have about 562. This year is definitely a growing year.” 

Signups are still open, and Hale said more people sign up the day before or the day of the Glow Run. Hale hopes the turnout to be well over 600. 

Over the years, the Glow Run has turned into quite a large community event. 

“We love to be in the community when you’re in law enforcement as you want to try and show people that we are human beings and that we’re normal people too,” she said. 

Hale pointed out that the Glow Run is the only local event of this type, with the second closest one being in Savannah. 

“If you are a runner, it is so fun and different as most 5Ks are in the morning,” she said. “If you’re not running we’ve got food trucks, things you can do with the kids and vendors, so I just think it’s fun overall, whether you’re running or not.” 

To sign up to participate in the 2025 Glow Run, go to runsignup.com/Race/GA/WarnerRobins/WRPDBacktheBlueGlowRun2018