By Local Editors Jessie Sawyer and John Fitts
Even though Avon Special Olympian Daniel Widing's shift at Big Y conflicted with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, he took a break from bagging to go outside and cheer on the runners as they passed by on Route 44 in Avon early afternoon on Thursday.
His father, Jon Widing, of Avon, participated and said he "enjoyed the run." Widing is the chaplain for the Avon Police Department and Avon Volunteer Fire Department.
Avon is one of many Connecticut police departments to participate in the run, transporting the Special Olympics torch to kick off the summer games. In total the run covers "over 530 miles" through "more than 100 Connecticut cities and towns," according to a Special Olympics Connecticut press release.
The three day event ends Friday at the opening of the 2013 Special Olympics Summer Games at Southern Connecticut State University, Canton Patch reported. The event raises funds through merchandise sales and sponsorships. This year businesses and individuals could sponsor a mile or several. Find out more at http://www.soct.org/torch/.
Daniel Widing is on the Farmington Valley Special Olympics soccer team.
Fellow Special Olympian Wendy Jarvis, a FAVARH client who lives in a group home in Avon, according to Widing, ran with the Canton group from the Canton Town Green to the Dunkin' Donuts in West Simsbury.
"Rather remarkable, really," Jon Widing wrote in an email to Patch.
To view video clips of the Torch Run passing through Canton into Simsbury, click on the the link provided to Canton Patch.
The leg that includes Avon started in Watertown Thursday and passed through Thomaston, Litchfield, Torrington, Winchester, Barkhamstead, New Hartford, Canton, Simsbury, West Hartford and Hartford. All routes ended at the State Capitol.
Daniel Widing had his final soccer practice that evening to prepare for Special Olympics games on Saturday and Sunday at Central Connecticut State University. His father said that Widing is also looking forward to the two-day gala event and a dance on Saturday.
Did you take any photos or videos of the Torch Run as it passed through Avon? Email your photos to Jessie.Sawyer@patch.com. Tell us in the comments if you knew one of the participants!
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