The Story County Crime Stoppers will host their first ever Running Down Crime 5K race on Oct. 18 at Ada Hayden Heritage Park in Ames.

Proceeds from the race will help support efforts to reduce crime and enhance the safety of the Story County area.

Launched in 2011, the Story County Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that works closely with law enforcement liaisons around the county to keep neighborhoods safe. People can submit anonymous tips by phone or by text if they see something suspicious or if police ask for help with a specific crime.

“We’re lucky here in Story County we don’t have a lot of crime,” said Angie Hunt, Story County Crime Stoppers board member. “It’s one of those tools you hope you never really have to use all that much, like with anything with crime fighting, but we know that it’s there should people need it.”

Money raised from the race will go toward supporting the TipSoft software program the organization uses to allow tips to remain anonymous. The board is also looking to increase the funds used to pay out rewards for tips.

“We depend on our law enforcement liaisons to determine whether a tip has a lot of value or was beneficial in a case,” Hunt said. “If this leads to an arrest or a conviction, then we as a board make a decision to pay out a reward in that case.”

Hunt said the Running Down Crime 5K race is not only as a fundraiser, but also used to promote and educate about what Crime Stoppers is and why the organization exists.

The race starts at 9 a.m. on Oct. 18, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Participants can either walk or run the 3-mile figure-8 path around the lake.

The cost is $40 for families, $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 17 and under. Online registration ends at midnight on Thursday. However, race-day registrations are welcome. The cost does not depend on when someone registers.

All participants will receive water bottles and goodie bags with coupons, pens and other items. T-shirts and door prizes will be given away as well.

The overall winner will receive a trophy, and medals will be given to the top male and female finishers in each age division. After the race, they will serve bagels, fruit, juice and coffee.

“We just hope that people will come out and get involved, take part in the race and learn more about Crime Stoppers,” Hunt said. “Outreach is something we continue to do so people know this is a resource that’s available. This is a countywide program that we want people to take advantage of.”

To register for the race online, visit crimestoppers5k.com.

To submit an anonymous tip to the Story County Crime Stoppers program, call 515-382-7577 or text “STORYCOUNTY” followed by your tip to 274637 (CRIMES). While tips are forwarded directly to the different law enforcement agencies around Story County, in emergency situations, call 9-1-1.