Law Enforcement Torch Run benefits Special Olympics

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On Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. at the Kroger parking lot, members of the Urbana Police Division and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office will run as a team through Urbana as part of the 2017 Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Ohio Special Olympics program, helping to raise money in support the cause. This is the 31st year of the event, but the first time local law enforcement has participated.

The 48th Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games are set for June 23-25 at The Ohio State University. During that weekend more than 2,600 athletes will compete.

More than 2,600 athletes from 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties and 105 different local Special Olympics organizations are preparing for the 2017 competition and for the opportunity to earn coveted medals. Athletes to compete represent the counties of: Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Auglaize, Belmont, Butler, Carroll, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Darke, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Fulton, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Highland, Holmes, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Licking, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Meigs, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Ottawa, Paulding, Perry, Pickaway, Portage, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Williams, Wood, and Wyandot.

The Games bring together athletes for competition in: Athletics (track and field), Bocce, Bowling, Cycling, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Roller Skating, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Volleyball. Most competition venues are on the campus of The Ohio State University.

Participating local officers and family members will pay to participate in the inaugural local Torch Run and will make a team donation in support of local Special Olympians.

From the Kroger store, runners will head west on state Route 29, continue west on Scioto Street through the roundabout, continue west on Miami Street and stop at the Depot Coffeehouse.

The team will be escorted and followed by local law enforcement cruisers and Urbana PD bike officers to help make the event safe. There may be short delays for motorists.

The team welcomes anyone who would like to greet them and cheer them on along the route to be in place between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The event will take place rain or shine, unless there is lightning.

The local team hopes to expand next year to involve runners representing the Ohio State Patrol, the Mechanicsburg Police Department and the St. Paris Police Department.

Those wishing to donate for this cause can do so by going to the Ohio Special Olympics website, www.sooh.org.

Tuesday morning’s route will be from Kroger to Depot Coffeehouse

Submitted story

Submitted by the Urbana Police Division.

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