Special Olympics Torch Carried Through City

Public safety officers don’t just work to save lives, they also make them better.

On Thursday, local police officers, firefighters and lifeguards jogged about 11 miles up the California coast, carrying a flaming torch for a special cause. The Flame of Hope traveled through Orange County as part of the flame's annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, which was organized to support the Special Olympics, the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The run began at the Laguna Beach firehouse, where public safety workers met to help carry the torch to Newport Beach. Along the route, a motorcade accompanied the Laguna joggers along their 5.5-mile run north on Coast Highway to the intersection at Newport Coast, where they handed the torch off to the Newport Beach runners.

“[We’re] doing our job to get this torch through our city and on to Costa Mesa,” said Newport Beach police Detective Tracy McKenzie.

After the torch was lit, the runners passed the torch to Newport Beach Police Chief Jay Johnson, who led the pack when it began the run to Mariners Park in Newport Beach. 

Rebecca Walke, regional volunteer of Special Olympics of Southern California Orange County, said the run serves a number of important functions.   

 “It calls attention to the [struggles of] people with intellectual disabilities,” Walke said.

It also highlights the support local law enforcement provides the Special Olympics, and it helps raise money, she said.

NBPD Detective Darrin Joe said he has participated in the event for at least four years.

“It’s nice to run for a good cause,” Joe said. Plus, “running promotes good health. Gotta stay in shape to be a good police officer.”

But for NBPD School Resource Officer Marie Gamble, the event had more of a personal meaning.

“I have a cousin who has Down syndrome, and he’s actively participated in the Special Olympics,” Gamble said.

More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from across 35 nations are expected to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run. In California, 3,500 officers are expected to run 1,500 miles through 200 communities, according to Newport Beach police Sgt. Steve Burdette. The torch will come back through Orange County next week before joining with two other torches at the opening ceremony of Special Olympics Southern California's summer games in Long Beach.

For more information on the Special Olympics, click here to visit their website.