More than 75 people participated in the central Kansas portion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Wednesday morning (May 20) in Larned. Approximately 30 members of Storm Special Olympics Team joined law enforcement personnel from Larned State Correctional Facility, Larned Police Department, Larned EMS, Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Ellsworth Correctional Facility, and Kansas Highway Patrol for the annual event. Larned Torch Run participants escorted the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” from Schnack Park to the Pawnee County Courthouse on Main Street.
After the run, participants enjoyed a barbecue celebration of hot dogs and hamburgers on the courthouse lawn.
Storm Team will meet back up with the torch when the athletes participate in track and field at the Kansas Special Olympics Summer Games at Maize South High School June 5-7. The final leg of the Kansas Torch Run will take place from Wichita City Hall to Maize South High where the cauldron will be lit to open the Summer Games.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a global movement that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics. It's the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness campaign for Special Olympics, engaging more than 110,000 law enforcement personnel worldwide.