The statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut kicks off this Wednesday, June 5th to support Special Olympics athletes and inspire the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabililites.
The Torch will be carried more than 530 miles across the state by over 1,500+ Law Enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes.
The three day run culminates at Southern Connecticut State University’s Jess Dow Field, where the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games Opening Ceremonies will be held on Friday, June 7th at 7:15 p.m. The Torch, with its “Flame of Hope”, will be used to light a large cauldron, signifying the vitality and spirit Special Olympics athletes possess – and the start of Summer Games weekend, June 7th through the 9th.
The opening ceremonies are free and open to the public. NBC Connecticut's Ryan Hanrahan and Shannon Miller will be on hand to emcee the event.
Start and end locations for Torch Run Legs (and hyperlinks to schedules) are:
Wednesday, June 5th
Leg 1 – Old Lyme to Ledyard
Leg 2 – Putnam to Ledyard
End-of-Day Rally at Foxwoods Resort Casino, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket, 5 p.m.
Thursday, June 6th
Leg 3 – North Branford to Wethersfield
Leg 4 – Willimantic to Bloomfield
Leg 4a – Enfield to Glastonbury
Leg 5 – Plymouth to West Hartford
Leg 6 – Naugatuck to West Hartford
End-of-Day Rally at Blue Back Square, 65 Memorial Boulevard, West Hartford, 5 p.m.
Friday, June 7th
Leg 7 – Newington to New Haven
Leg 8 – Chester to New Haven
Leg 9 – New Milford to Bethany
Leg 9a – Ridgefield and Wilton
Leg 9b – Monroe to New Haven
Leg 10 – Greenwich to New Haven
Rally at WWE Headquarters, 1241 E. Main Street, Stamford at approx. 9:10 a.m. and Final Leg procession during Summer Games Opening Ceremonies at Southern Connecticut State University’s Jess Dow Field, 7:15 p.m. The Opening Ceremonies event is free and open to the public.
In addition to the three-day Run, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut is a year-round effort carried out by officers who support local athletes by organizing fundraisers, raising awareness about Special Olympics in their communities and serving as volunteers at events. Active and retired officers representing municipal departments, state police and correction facilities, military police and federal employees and college and university public safety officers get involved.
NBC Connecticut is a proud partner of the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games. For more information visit www.soct.org
About Special Olympics Connecticut:
Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for over 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 172 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for all people, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)
Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Golisano Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.
Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, The Coca-Cola Company, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Crystal Rock Water and Coffee Company, Marcus Communications, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.
