Special Olympics Torch Run Continues Friday

The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run will again travel near the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Friday, according to a news release received Friday mid-morning from the Torrance Police Department.

"Traffic will be affected along the route," according to police.

Torrance police expected to receive the torch from the Gardena Police Department at 190th Street and Western Avenue by about 11:20 a.m. Torrance police planned to travel south on Western Avenue, west on Torrance Boulevard, south on Sartori, west on Post and west on Carson until it hits Crenshaw Boulevard. The runners will stay on Crenshaw Boulevard until hitting Pacific Coast Highway, on which they will travel east.

The Torrance leg will stop at Norm's Restaurant, where the torch will be handed to the Lomita Sheriff's Station at about 12:20 p.m.

The Lomita Sheriffs will travel east on Pacific Coast Highway and south on Western Avenue, before handing the torch to the Los Angeles Police Department at Avenida Aprenda.

The Torch Run was created in 1981 by Wichita (KS) Police Department Chief Richard LaMunyon to get his officers involved in the local Special Olympics. Now, the Torch Run includes more than 125 runs in more than 45 countries, according to the Special Olympics.

In 2012, more than 125 law-enforcement agencies raised a combined nearly $1.2 million in the Southern California Torch Run.