Law enforcement officers ran through Zanesville Thursday for annual Torch Run
The Ohio Special Olympics opening ceremony is Friday at 7 p.m.
June 28, 2019
Law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes ran the Flame of Hope through Zanesville Thursday afternoon during the Marietta Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as well as Noble Correctional Special Response Team, were accompanied by about seven athletes as the group jogged down Main Street. The runners were greeted by a large crowd awaiting their arrival at the Muskingum County Courthouse.
“Each town we go through gets a little bigger and bigger. Zanesville is normally the biggest stop for us, at least with the public being out,” Lieutenant Ralph Cobb with Noble Correctional Institute said.
The LETR run was founded in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas. Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a lack of awareness for the Special Olympics and hosted the first Torch Run to get law enforcement and the community involved with the Special Olympics and its athletes, according to Special Olympics Ohio’s website. Since the ‘80s, many other law enforcement personnel across the U.S., and in 25 countries, have adopted the torch run.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us to get involved and to help raise money for such a wonderful, wonderful event,” Lieutenant Melanie Appleman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. “To give everybody the opportunity to compete and have that team competition, that spirit. It is one of the most amazing experiences for us to be a part of.”
Thursday, the group arrived in Byesville at 9 a.m. and ran to the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities, passed through New Concord and ended their run in Zanesville around 1 p.m.
Friday, the group picked back up to continue its run to Columbus for the opening ceremony of the Ohio Special Olympics.
Each town that the LETR passed through, athletes would join the runners to carry the torch and run through their town.
“They’re always excited to do it, to participate with us, and it’s great. It’s a great experience,” Appleman said.
In an effort to grow participation in the event and draw more attention, law enforcement agencies in towns that the LETR passes through typically escort the runners.
The Zanesville Police Department and the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the escort of the runners as they ran down Main Street. The New Concord Police Department also assisted with escorting the group as they ran through the village.
“We try to pick up as many law enforcement agencies across (the course), and next year we hope to get even more,” Appleman said. “So, the idea is to try to build this up every year, to get as much involvement as we possibly can.”
For more information on the Special Olympics Ohio and the LETR, click here. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact a local runner or donate online.
