The Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Maine Special Olympics is headed toward Freeport and Brunswick today and will conclude Thursday in Richmond.
Starting with the first leg Tuesday from Berwick to Kittery, more than 600 members of Maine’s law-enforcement agencies are participating in the run across the state, carrying the “Flame of Hope” to raise funds for and awareness of Maine Special Olympics.
The run is scheduled to conclude Friday at the University of Maine in Orono, in time for the opening ceremonies of the Maine Special Olympics 2013 summer games.
Today, Torch runners are expected to arrive at the Freeport Public Safety Building at around 5 p.m., when local Special Olympians will participate in a small walking parade to Derosier’s at 120 Main St. There, athletes will share in some treats with the officers.
Freeport officers will then continue the 7.2-mile run, delivering the torch to Brunswick officers at the Brunswick town line at U.S. Route 1 by C & R Trading Post. Brunswick officers will run the torch six miles from the Freeport town line to the Brunswick police station.
The next leg of the run will start at around 7 a.m. Thursday at the Brunswick police station on Federal Street and travel to the Topsham Police Department, 100 Main. St.
There, Brunswick runners will meet up with Topsham officers who will then bicycle up U.S. Route 201, carrying the torch through Bowdoinham and Richmond to Pat’s Store at the intersection of Route 201 and Route 197, with a police escort.
Sagadahoc County sheriff ’s deputies will also run today, from the Wiscasset town line along Route 1 through Woolwich to Bath, where they will pass the torch to Bath officers.
Brunswick police Officer Tom Stanton volunteers with and coordinates local fundraising for the Maine Special Olympics.
Brunswick Police Department, with 10 officers running, has asked local businesses to consider sponsoring officers running in the Torch Run and welcomes additional support.
Individuals who want to sponsor a runner can call the police station at 725-6620 and leave a message for Stanton; or drop off a check made out to Special Olympics Maine, in sponsorship of the officers running collectively, at the police station, 28 Federal St.
Special Olympics is one of the only causes Maine lawenforcement agencies raise money for, Stanton said, because all money raised remains in Maine and goes directly to the Maine Special Olympics and the events it puts on.
Maine Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information, visit www.somaine.org.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
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