Torch Run

‘Flame of Hope’ Arrives in Wicomico County Law Enforcement Officers Participate in Statewide Torch Run Relay as Show of Support for the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games
Maryland Torch Run Celebrates 2

Salisbury-- Law Enforcement officers representing be on the run on June 4, 2012 at 1PM, taking part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland. Their mission: to escort and protect the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ as it makes it toward the opening of the 42nd Anniversary Summer Ga

This year marks the 27th Anniversary of the Maryland officers raising $5,000, and has grown into a true year $3.3 million in 2011. Since its inception, the Torch Run has taken very seriously its role as “Guardians of the Flame”, and the Relay is an important and celebrated part of every Special Olympics competition.

The schedule for Wicomico County’s portion of the Torch Run is as follows (all times are approximate and subject to change):

The approximate 4 mile run will begin at at 1PM and travel northbound on Camden Ave to westbound on College Ave to Pinehurst Elementary where students will line the streets. The run will continue down Riverside Dr to the through the plaza. The runners will then continue on W. Main St to Delaware Ave and finish at the Salisbury Police Department.

This local portion of the Torch Run Relay is part of a much larger effort. consists of four different legs – Eastern, Western, Central and Southern thousands of Torch Run volunteers will cover hundreds of miles, eventually converging on Towson where the individual flames will be united in the Final Leg Ceremony and then officers from around the state will travel the final 2.5 miles to the Opening Ceremony at Towson University.

Olympics athletes who have the honor of taking th officially declaring the 2012 SOMD Summer Games open.

"The Torch Run Relay represents the culmination of a year dedicated officers from around the state. These efforts include fundraising and awareness campaigns to help bring much needed funds to the thousands of athletes around Maryland," said Captain John Newnan, Law Enforcement Torch Run Director for Maryland. "It provides the opportunity throughout Maryland to come together and celebrate the successes of the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics as we carry the Flame of Hope throughout the state and share a message of hope, acc and tolerance to the community at large. Our goal is to create inspiring moments where we can increase the communities’ awareness about possibilities, not about disabilities."

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Maryland is a year both funds and awareness for the athletes who train and compete in Special Olympics Maryland.

Torch Run began in 1986 with a handful of officers raising $5 grown tremendously, including volunteer officers from nearly every law enforcement agency and correctional facility in Maryland, and through special events such as the MSP Polar Bear Plunge, the annual Torch Run T and other efforts, raising $3.3 million for SOMD in 20 at the annual International Torch Run Conference.

The 42nd Anniversary SOMD Summer Games are set for June weekend, 1,400 athletes from around the state will go for gold in aquatics, athletics, bocce, cheerleading and softball.