Press Release-Run with the Law:

For 26 years the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics has united officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia.

Each summer, law enforcement officials carry the Flame of Hope across the state culminating with the Torch Run Final Leg, and the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games in Richmond. The 1,900-mile, 8-day Torch Run involves more than 2,000 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Virginia.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began in 1981 in Kansas when Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds and increase awareness for Special Olympics. Chief LaMunyon created the Torch Run as a way to involve his officers in the community by running a torch relay for their local Special Olympics.

The idea for the Torch Run was to provide law enforcement officers with an opportunity to volunteer with Special Olympics in the communities where they lived and worked. After three years of successful runs in Kansas, Chief LaMunyon presented his idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which endorsed Special Olympics International as its official charity through the Torch Run.

More than 25 years later, the Torch Run has grown to include more than 100 separate runs in more than 35 countries.  In 2008, more than 85,000 law enforcement officers raised more than $34 million to support community-based sport programs for people with intellectual disabilities.  The Torch Run has become the largest grassroots fundraising effort for Special Olympics. 

The Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is officially endorsed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff's Association, the Virginia Sheriff's Association, the Virginia Association of Regional Jails, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the Virginia Department of Corrections and the National Association of School Resource Officers.  Now in its 26th year, the Torch Run has raised more than $13 million for Special Olympics Virginia.

The Radford City Police Department participates in a leg of the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics every year and this year’s run will be on Monday, June 4, 2012.  Members of the Radford City Police Department will be carrying the torch to Blacksburg, where they will pass on the torch to Blacksburg Police Department. 

Over the past few years Radford City Police Department has held a separate 5k race, Run with the Law, that brings together law enforcement professionals from surrounding communities, along with citizens to Run with the Law and help support Special Olympics Virginia.  The 2012 Run with the Law 5k will be held on June 23, 2012 in Bisset Park.  This year’s race will have a Kid’s Fun Run at 9:00, with the 5k Run/Walk starting at 9:30.  There will be awards and door prizes given away after the race is finished.  Registration and contact information can be seen below; if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Detective Carla Cross or Jenni Goodman.  Come out and Run with Law on June 23, 2012 and help support Special Olympics Virginia.

Registration Information:

            Entry Fee: $20 until June 22

                              $25 Race Day Registration

Online Registration: https://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2010036

Packet Pick Up: June 22 5:30-7:00, Radford City Police Department

Contacts: Detective Carla Cross: ckcross@radford.va.us