More than 500 law enforcement personnel will be running the Special Olympics’ Flame of Hope through Northern California from June 26 through June 28. The event is part of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, a year round fundraising campaign that will culminate at the Special Olympics Northern California Summer games at UC Davis.
The special Olympics Summer Games brings together more than 700 Special Olympics athletes from throughout Northern California to compete in aquatics, bocce, tennis, and track & field. The games officially begin after the final leg of the torch run has been completed and the Flame of Hope lights up the Special Olympics caldron during opening ceremonies.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 and is the only fundraising benefit that we endorse,” said Retired Scotts Valley Police Lieutenant John Hohmann.
On June 17, police officers started the torch at Watsonville and presented it to the law enforcement runners in Capitola and Santa Cruz and ended it in Scotts Valley.
Runners from the Scotts Valley Police Department will receive the torch at approximately 2:20 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Hilton Hotel, Hohmann said. Scotts Valley Police personnel will proceed down Mount Hermon Road to Scotts Valley Drive, up to Glenwood Drive to the city limits. Get additional information about the local leg of the race from Hohmann at 440-5670.
Scotts Valley Police Chief, John P. Weiss, said “Each runner gets a turn in carrying the torch. Each of us considers it an honor to carry the torch.”
The Flame of Hope will travel hundreds of miles throughout 21 counties to end at Davis, California on Friday, June 26. The officers who carry the torch earn the right to be called a “Guardian of the Flame.”
The Law Enforcement Torch Run has become the single largest supporter of Special Olympics Northern California that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities.
