Maryland Torch Run for Special Olympics

‘Flame of Hope’ Arrives in Wicomico County!

Wicomico County Law Enforcement Officer, Friends, and Supporters Participate in Statewide Torch Run Relay as Show of Support for the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games

Law Enforcement officers representing ALL of Wicomico County will be on the run on Monday, June 4th at 1:00 pm, taking part in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland.  Their mission: to escort and protect the Special Olympics ‘Flame of Hope’ as it makes its way toward the opening of the Summer Games at Towson University, June 9-11.

The Maryland Torch Run is a fundraising movement that began in 1986 with a handful of officers raising $5,000, and has grown into a true year-round effort that involves thousands of officers and sponsors raising millions annually. Since its inception, those involved with the Torch Run have taken very seriously their role as “Guardians of the Flame”, and the relay is an important and celebrated part of every Special Olympics competition.Without the funds raised by those dedicated to the Torch Run efforts across this state, and across the world, Special Olympics would not be able to provide the inspiring opportunities that they do for our incredible athletes!

The schedule for Salisbury/WicomicoCounty’s portion of the Torch Run is as follows (all times are approximate and subject to change):

 Monday, June 4, 2018

12:30 – 1:00 pm        Pre-Event Ceremonies, SU Parking lot (behind Cheers), Salisbury, MD

1:00 pm                        Torch Run Relay Begins.  Run will proceed from Salisbury University to Salisbury Police Department.

1:45 – 2:30 pm           Run concludes at the Salisbury Police Department with Photo Opportunity and Refreshment

This local portion of the Torch Run Relay is part of a much larger effort.  Statewide, the Maryland Torch Run Relay consists of four different legs – Eastern, Western, Central and Southern – and throughout the entire week, thousands of Torch Run volunteers will cover hundreds of miles, eventually converging on Towson where the individual flames will be united in the Final Leg Ceremony and then officers from around the state will travel the final 2.5 miles to the Opening Ceremony at Towson University.  It is there that the Flame is handed off to the Special Olympics athletes who have the honor of taking the final lap with the torch and then lighting the cauldron and officially declaring the 2017 SOMD Summer Games open.

*PLEASE consider participating in the Eastern Leg of the Torch Run Relay as shown above. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A “RUNNER!” Each leg will have support vehicles and/or buses so you can run as much OR as little as you want. You may also ride your BICYCLE if you wish!  The actual Torch Run Relay is an awareness campaign to highlight our UNITED law enforcement efforts to benefit Special Olympics and create excitement for the Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games each year.  2017 Torch Run t-shirts should be worn for this event and may be purchased in advance or purchased the morning of the event for $15.