UWPD, Crimestoppers partner for Zimmermann walk/run

The University Police Department has teamed with Madison Area Crimestoppers and the family of Brittany Zimmermann to organize the Brittany Zimmermann Memorial 5K Walk/Run.

It will be held on campus at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, starting at Library Mall.

The registration fee is $20. The deadline for online registration is Thursday, Sept. 30, but register by Friday, Sept. 17, to receive a T-shirt. Half of the proceeds will go to the Brittany Zimmermann reward fund, and the other half to Madison Area Crimestoppers.

Zimmermann was a third-year UW–Madison senior in medical microbiology and immunology when she was killed in broad daylight in her West Doty Street apartment on April 2, 2008.  She was planning to graduate in spring 2009. The search for her killer continues.

South Campus Community Police Officer Erik Pearce says the event is important because it will not only help raise money and awareness about crime-prevention efforts in the Madison area, but it will also increase the size of the reward fund established by Zimmermann’s family.

“Hopefully it will increase public awareness of her case and result in her killer being apprehended,” says Pearce. “Holding this event in her honor will also give members of the university community an opportunity to pay a tribute to one of their fallen students.

“We hope by naming the event in Brittany’s honor that some good can come out of this tragedy,” adds Pearce. ”Her murder has already sparked many changes in how law enforcement and the Dane County 911 Center operate.”

There will be post-race refreshments, and McGruff the Crime Dog will be on hand. A $50 cash prize will be awarded to the top male and female finishers.

To register for the event, visit http://www.madisonareacrimestoppers.org.