Torch run kicks off Special Olympics

By Tracy Bell

Published: June 11, 2008

STAFFORD — Members of local law enforcement made their way along local roads to support children and their dreams last week. The Special Olympics helped make that happen.

Stafford residents out driving in their cars in the early-morning hours may have seen an unusual sight on June 6, as a line of runners supporting the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run ran through town.

The cause benefits Special Olympics Virginia, and the group began its local “Potomac” portion of the run at the Stafford County line at 6 a.m., passed the Stafford County Courthouse, the Falmouth Bridge and the Spotsylvania County line, and later ending at the Hanover County line.

Passing the torch, runners were headed to Richmond in order to kick of the Special Olympics Virginia 2008 Summer Games, which are set for June 6-7, according to Special Olympics spokeswoman Holly Claytor. 

Starting at eight points across Virginia from May 30 to June 6, more than 3,000 officers have carried the Special Olympics Flame of Hope more than 2,000 miles across the state. 

On June 6, officers from Metro Richmond planned to unite at a special Final Leg ceremony at the State Capitol, and from there, more than 100 law enforcement officers ran the Final Leg into the University of Richmond’s Robins Center.  Later, the officers passed the Flame of Hope to a Special Olympics athlete, who lighted the Olympic Cauldron and officially opened this year’s summer games, according to a Special Olympics press release. 

The Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run, in its 23rd year, has raised more than $9.8 million for Special Olympics Virginia. 

For more information, visit torchrunva.com or specialolympicsva.org.