The thunderstorms paused briefly last Thursday morning, just in time for the Athens-to-Columbus leg of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. The run began at Peden Stadium at 8:30 a.m. and continued up Court Street and onward to Columbus.
Participating in the Torch Run, which benefits Special Olympics Ohio, were OUPD officers and a number of local members and supporters of the special needs community. Lt. Steve Noftz, the Athens Torch Run leg leader since 2000, who has been involved with the Torch Run since 1995, said he is impressed year after year by those involved.
People really put it out there
as they always do from every agency running beyond what I think they thought they actually could
he said.
The group, escorted by two OUPD vehicles, donned Special Olympics Ohio T-shirts and walked the Special Olympics torch, the Flame of Hope
up Richland Avenue and Court Street.
The officers then traded the real torch for a fake and ran up West State Street on their journey to Columbus. Overall, the participants covered about 72 miles.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, sponsored by the Kroger Company, is a week-long fund-raising event across Ohio, culminating with the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics in Columbus. Law enforcement officials run, walk or bicycle the Flame of Hope through more than 125 Ohio communities in all quadrants of the state. The Torch Run is the single largest fund-raising activity for Special Olympics Ohio.
The Athens-to-Columbus leg is separate from the Southeast Ohio leg of the race. It started on June 24 with a Jackson-to-Wellston satellite run and then came to Athens last Thursday.
The torch passed through Nelsonville, Logan, Lancaster, Canal Winchester, Groverport and Reynoldsburg on its journey to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus, home of the 2009 Special Olympics Ohio opening ceremonies.
Nearly 2,700 children and adults were expected to participate in the games last weekend, competing in 11 sports ranging from bocce to volleyball.
I think it's as worthy a cause as there is
Noftz said. They change lives and I've heard testimonials over and over again that bring tears to my eyes.
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Amanda Baker
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