Special Olympics Torch Carried Through Newport Beach

Members of the Newport Beach Police Department took the torch from runners from the Laguna Beach Police Department at about 9:45 a.m. near the entrance to Newport Coast.

Newport runners got on the road at about 10:05 a.m. and ran five miles north down Pacific Coast Highway toward Costa Mesa 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

"This is a great event. In law enforcement, a lot of times we have this image of being a hard exterior, but I think all of us have a soft spot in our hearts for Special Olympic athletes and those with special needs," Chief Jay Johnson said. "Some guys who haven't run in years are coming out for this."

More than 85,000 law enforcement officers from across 35 nations are expected to participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run.