Clearwater Joins Special Olympics Torch Run

Pinellas police agencies, from St. Pete to Clearwater, will carry the Special Olympics torch in a long-distance run Tuesday.

"The Special Olympics Torch" run will raise awareness about the needs and programs for the intellectually disabled in Pinellas County.

The run starts in St. Petersburg and ends in Clearwater after crossing the Bayside Bridge around noon.

Police agencies from throughout Pinellas County take part, including Clearwater, Largo, Tarpon Springs, St. Pete Beach and Belleair.

The torch is passed from one law enforcement agecy to the next, with Special Olympics athletes greeting the runners along the way.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a statewide event that precedes the
Summer Olympic Games May 17-18 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports
complex near Orlando.

The participating law enforcement agencies are:

• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
• St. Petersburg Police Department
• Pinellas Park Police Department
• Largo Police Department
• Belleair Police Department
• Clearwater Police Department
• Tarpon Springs Police Department
• St. Pete Beach Police Department
• Criminal Justice Academy Class - St. Petersburg College

The following is the route of the run:

1. 8:15 a.m. St. Petersburg Police Department;
2. 9:10 a.m. New Heights Elementary School, St. Petersburg;
3. 10:15 a.m. Nina Harris Exceptional School, Pinellas Park;
4. 10:55 a.m. Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School, Largo;
5. 11:45 a.m. PCSO Technical Services Bldg., Largo;
6. 12:45 p.m. (approx.) Del Oro Park Hosts:  Clearwater Police / Tarpon Springs Police Departments
7. Around 1:15-1:30 p.m., Torch arrival / reception at Paul B. Stephens Exceptional School.

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