Press release
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The 2016 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics presented by The Kroger Company begins its 30th year on Thursday, June 16th and continues throughout Ohio to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games on Friday, June 24th. The Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest grassroots fundraising program for Special Olympics Ohio and its more than 23,000 participating athletes.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics. When the Ohio Torch Run began in 1987, a handful of officers ran a single route – from Cincinnati to Columbus – and raised a few thousand dollars. This year more than 2,000 officers are set to participate in the six main legs and several satellite community legs planned throughout the state. In 2015, Ohio Torch Run activities raised more than $568,000.
The Kroger Company has generously served as the Presenting Sponsor for the Torch Run for the past eleven years. Torch runners visit Kroger stores as they travel to Columbus on their respective routes.
The Torch Run is a series of relays in which officials representing all facets of law enforcement run, walk, or bicycle the Flame of Hope more than 1,000 miles and through more than 150 Ohio communities. Special Olympics Ohio athletes join law enforcement personnel on many legs of the Torch Run.
The 2016 Torch Run will officially begin in northwest Ohio, with a special kick-off on Thursday, June 16th at the Sylvania Police Department. The Torch will then visit the Toledo Police Museum and the Toledo Police Division/Lucas County Sheriff’s Office before it is carried to Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo for an appearance at a Mud Hens game.
On Friday, June 17th the Flame of Hope will pass through Defiance. Torch Runners will also be a part of the Bryan Jubilee and parade on Saturday, June 18th.
On Sunday, June 19th the Torch will start its day at the Erie County Sheriff’s Office followed by a ceremony in downtown Sandusky. The Flame of Hope will then visit Kelleys Island and will be featured in a parade in Put-in-Bay before receiving an escort from patrol boats across Lake Erie to Port Clinton.
On Monday, June 20th the Torch Run will resume at Hollywood Casino in Toledo before passing through Rossford, Perrysburg, Bowling Green, North Baltimore, and Findlay. On Thursday, June 23rd the Flame of Hope will visit Fostoria, Tiffin, Bucyrus, Upper Sandusky, and Marion. On Friday, June 24th the Torch Run will make its way to Columbus via Delaware, Powell (including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium), and Dublin.
Click here for specific times and stop locations for the northwest leg of the Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run.
All of the Torch Run routes cover many more areas and towns than mentioned. Many parades and ceremonies are planned along these routes in the involved communities, as well as at many Kroger stores in recognition of The Kroger Company’s sponsorship of this event.
Along the routes, spectators and supporters are encouraged to come out and show support for the Flame of Hope, the officers, and athletes involved as well as for the Special Olympics movement.
The Final Leg of the Torch Run will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 24th at the State Highway Patrol Academy in Columbus. All law enforcement vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists, runners, and others who arrive in Columbus as part of the Torch Run will proceed, en masse, the final 3.2 miles to Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium where the Flame of Hope will be passed to Special Olympics Ohio athletes at Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 State Summer Games.
Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition for more than 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their own families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
For more information on Special Olympics Ohio, the 2016 State Summer Games or the Law Enforcement Torch Run please call 614.239.7050 or visit sooh.org.
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