Officers to Participate in 35th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run

The 35th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut will take place Wednesday, June 16th, Thursday, June 17th and Friday, June 18th, when law enforcement officers will run through their town and pass the Torch, with its "Flame of Hope", at each town line. The Torch Run aims to promote awareness of Special Olympics, support for the organization's year-round sports and health programs and inspire inclusion for people of all abilities in communities statewide.

More than 1,500 officers are expected to participate, representing municipal departments, correction facilities, military police and Federal employees, Connecticut State Police and college and university public safety officers.

The Torch Run will culminate with the traditional Final Leg that will take place during the Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Sports Series - a sports competition for its athletes - at Fairfield University on Friday, June 18th.

While officers from across the state participate in the in-person run, all are invited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Torch Run and support Special Olympics athletes by participating in the Champions Challenge 5K Run/Walk (https://give.soct.org/event/2021-champions-challenge-5k/e333395) or purchasing a commemorative Law Enforcement Torch Run t-shirt (https://give.soct.org/event/2021-ctletr-t-shirts-sales/e323896).

To learn more about Special Olympics Connecticut, the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Torch Run events, such as Tip-A-Cop, that take place throughout the year, visit soct.org or email specialolympicsct@soct.org. To see Law Enforcement Torch Run photos and videos, follow Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run transforms communities by inspiring people to open their minds, to accept and include people with intellectual disabilities, celebrating differences among all people...recognizing and respecting the similarities we all share. For athletes and officers alike, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a story of success, love, respect, and commitment between law enforcement officers and Special Olympic athletes.
Platinum Sponsors of the program include The Hometown Foundation, Whelen Engineering, WWE, and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund. Gold Sponsors are Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa's Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 193 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Bozzuto's Inc., Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, The Hometown Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut, TD Bank, Raytheon Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Marcus Communications, N&D Sports, Poland Spring, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.