30th Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

Presented by Public Information Officer Master Corporal Gary E. Fournier

Delaware – The 30th ANNUAL STATEWIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS involving over 500 Law Enforcement Officers and spanning 160 miles will be held between Wednesday, June 8th and Friday, June 10th.  The 2016 event is the 30th annual Torch Run, and in its history, Delaware Law Enforcement will have raised over $6 million.

Special Olympics Delaware provides a year-round program of quality sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or cognitive delays. A family of over 4,000 volunteers makes this program possible for the more than 3,700 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Delaware. The organization builds sports skills, confidence, strength, motivation and self-esteem … not just for the athletes, but for everyone involved.

This year’s Torch Run will be a three-day event, starting in Rehoboth Beach on Wednesday, June 8th at 5:00 p.m.  Long-time supporters of the Torch Run may remember the Bike Prologue.  After a decade-long absence, it returns as part of the Torch Run’s 30th Anniversary.  The Bike Prologue is open to everyone and all are encouraged to participate.  Live music by 33 1/3 will lead the gala Torch Run sendoff from the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, June 9th the Torch will start at Lewes (6:30 a.m., Troop 7), Georgetown (7:00 a.m., The Circle) and Delmar (6:00 a.m., Rt.13 and Rt.54) and will travel to Milford, Harrington, and Dover where a brief stop will be held at Legislative Hall at 2:00 p.m., and then continue on to Smyrna and Odessa.  The event continues on Friday, June 10th from Troop 9 at 6:00 a.m., with the Torch proceeding to the Wilmington Police Headquarters in Wilmington for a 9:45 a.m. celebration.  The event culminates with a final leg into the University of Delaware Bob Carpenter Center for the official opening of the 2016 Summer Games where the Special Olympics Flame of Hope will be delivered.

Information about the event and maps of the run can be found by clicking on the attached link: http://www.sode.org/fundraisers/law-enforcement-torch-run.

To learn more about the Bike Prologue and to register, please click on this link: http://www.sode.org/bike-prologue/.

Released: 060316 1105

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