For the third year, the Statesboro Police Department Foundation invites the public to participate in an event that offers physical and mental challenges and team-building opportunities while raising funds at the same time.

The third annual Statesboro Police Department Tactical Challenge will be held March 24 at the Statesboro-Bulloch Law Enforcement Training Center on Holland Industrial Boulevard off Highway 301 North, said Statesboro police Deputy Chief Rob Bryan.

"Statesboro has a lot of 5K runs," he said. "We wanted to do something a little different."

The event begins at 8 a.m. and lasts until the competitions are completed. Lunch will be served to all participants.

"The challenge includes tactical events that involve endurance activities and strategic thinking," he said. "While the goal is to have fun and benefit a worthy cause, this event is for competitors who want to challenge themselves in a team-building atmosphere."

Teams of five to eight people, ages 17 and up, must include at least one female. The entry fee per team is $300, but after March 16 it will be $400.

Individuals also will have a chance to compete in the Toughest Competitor challenge. The fee for an adult is $25 ($30 after March 16) and $10 for youth ($15 after the deadline.)

There are five team events.

"The Obstacle Course requires the team to overcome 15 individual, physically challenging obstacles through the application of teamwork and fortitude," he said. "In the Tower Scramble, starting at the start/finish line, teams proceed toward the tower, where they will be required to breach a door and ascend to the top of the tower while carrying various entry tools. Once all members are at the top of the tower, they must ring a bell before descending the tower, carrying all of the gear, and then proceeding to the start/finish line."

In the Officer Rescue event, the team must quickly get to a downed officer and move him to safety while overcoming several obstacles.

The Stairway to Heaven event "is a team-building event that will require complete trust between team members," Bryan said. "This event simulates the precarious nature of SWAT operations and stresses confidence in each other."

As always, the last event is a secret until the day of the challenge. Details of the Mystery Event will be provided at the team captains' briefing at 7:15 a.m. the morning of the event.

"This event will stress teamwork and communication," he said.

For individual competitors, the Toughest Competitor event is "a physically demanding, timed challenge that will include various obstacles that will test the competitor's endurance and physical fitness," Bryan said. "This event is an individual event; you do not have to be part of a competing team to sign up. You must be 17 years of age or older to compete in this event."

This event starts at 10 a.m.

Individual medals are awarded for the first-third place male and female competitors. Overall competition trophies are awarded for the first-fifth place teams.

Like the Toughest Competitor event, the Youth Junior Challenge is also an individual event. This event is for competitors ages 12 to 16. This event starts at 1 p.m. Individual medals are awarded for the first-third place male and female competitors.

An awards ceremony with a keynote speaker follows the conclusion of the event. Team trophies are awarded for each event for first, second and third place.

All proceeds benefit the Statesboro Police Officers Foundation.

For more information or to register a team or individual, visit the Statesboro Police Tactical Challenge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StatesboroPoliceTLC.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.