Runners & walkers to honor fallen officers | News

St. Petersburg, FL -- This Sunday, runners and walkers will honor fallen officers at the second annual Partners for Life Police Appreciation Run/Walk at North Straub Park. 

Lorraine Yaslowitz organized the race last year in memory of her husband, Jeff, and fellow St. Petersburg fallen police officers David Crawford and Sgt. Tom Baitinger.  

It raises funds and awareness in support of families who have lost loved ones to senseless acts of violence.

Online registration by credit card is still available for Sunday's event and participants may register during race packet pickup on Saturday from Noon to 6 p.m., and on Sunday at 5:30 a.m. in North Straub Park with cash or check.  

Registration fees for the 5 and 10K race are $40 each or $70 for both, while the one mile walk registration fee is $30. 

The 10K in honor of Jeffrey Yaslowitz begins at 6:59 a.m., the 5K in honor of Sergeant Tom Baitinger begins at 8:30 a.m., and the one-mile memorial walk for Officer David Crawford begins at 10:30 a.m.

All events are expected to conclude by 11 a.m.

Organizers suggest printing and filling out the downloadable registration form prior to onsite registration.

Both the 10 and 5K races begin and end at North Straub Park on Bayshore Dr. N.E., just south of Fifth Ave. N.E. 

Motorists will see some roads completely closed to traffic while others will allow limited traffic.

Bayshore Dr. will be closed to through traffic from 5 a.m. until approximately11 a.m. for the morning's events, while limited traffic will be allowed southbound on Beach Dr., North Shore Dr., and First St. 

Organizers expect roads to reopen to traffic by 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

For the safety of all participants, all vehicles must be removed from the route prior to the event.  No Parking signs will be posted and meters bagged in areas affected on Saturday. 

Residents who normally park on-street overnight should remove their vehicles by 5 a.m. Sunday, if parked on the route, to avoid being towed and ticketed. Residential parking permits will not exempt vehicles left on the street from being ticketed or towed.