Inaugural Bike for Badges Race Begins May 7

On May 7, 2016 the first ever Bike for Badges race will be held at the Oxford Whirlpool Trails. It will be a five-mile mountain bike race to benefit the Oxford Peace Officers Association and the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association.

These organizations are important to Oxford as well as the well-being of its police officers.

The two organizations help to provide financial assistance to the police officers in the area. For example, if an officer’s house were to burn down, the associations could help the officer out financially to ensure his family is safe and comfortable.

The Lafayette County Law Enforcement Officers Association benefits the Oxford Police department, the University Police Department and the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department.

Officer Blake Horton of the Oxford Police Department first came up with the idea for the Bike for Badges race.

Horton said, “I was sitting on my couch one morning, drinking coffee and I thought ‘I’m going to do a bike race.’”

From there the idea became a reality. With the help of Officer Barron Pruitt, the two organized the event.

The Whirlpool Trails off of Chucky Mullins Drive will be hosting the race. It will be a five-mile long competition through the wooded trails. The winner of the race will be awarded with a unique trophy made out of bicycle parts.

To register for the event, you can pick up a form from the police department and other locations around Oxford. There will be a $20 fee when you register before the race or a $25 fee if you register the day of. Participants will also be given t-shirts at the race on a first-come, first-served basis.

Alexandra Seay is a HottyToddy.com intern. She can be reached at alseay@go.olemiss.edu.

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