Special Olympics torch run to hit Modesto on Thursday
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics got underway in Sacramento on Monday morning and will come through Modesto for a ceremony at Tenth Street Plaza on Thursday.
The Torch Run is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for the Special Olympics, organizers say. It is an actual running event, in which officers and athletes carry the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games on July 25 in Los Angeles.
The Games will feature competition in aquatics, gymnastics, track and field, basketball, soccer and many other summer sports involving more than 7,000 Special Olympic athletes from around the world.
The city of Modesto will welcome the final leg torch runners with a ceremony at 1010 10th St. on Thurday from 11 a.m. to noon. The event will include guest speakers and refreshments. The route to Tenth Street Plaza will begin at F and 12th streets.
Members of the final leg team traveled a combined 309,600 miles to participate in the run, according to retired Lt. John V. Hohmann of the Scotts Valley Police Department. The team consists of 78 law enforcement torch runners, 10 Special Olympics athletes, 10 team leaders, 23 logistics team members, 4 documentation team members and one team captain.
The youngest torch runner is 24 years old, the oldest is 63 and the average age is 45.6.
The officers involved have a combined 2,289 years of total law enforcement service. They have volunteered 1,274 years to the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics.
In 2013, torch run volunteers raised $50 million for Special Olympics programs around the world. Since the effort began in 1981, it’s raised more than $500 million.
To follow the final leg team, visit www.la2015.org/about-games/letr.
For more information about the Modesto ceremony, call 209-341-2950.
This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:25 AM with the headline "Special Olympics torch run to hit Modesto on Thursday."