Special Olympics Torch Run Is Thursday

The 29th annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run will blaze through Sarasota on Thursday along U.S. 41.

Each year more than 3,000 law enforcement officers carry the torch on a 1,500 mile relay through more than 60 Florida counties.

Beginning at 9 a.m., members of the will carry the torch north along US 41 in Sarasota, beginning at Beneva Road and continuing past Stickney Point and Proctor roads. The torch will be handed off to the at Paradise Plaza just past Bee Ridge Road.

Traffic is expected to be delayed on U.S. 41 between 9 and 10 a.m., so drivers may want to avoid the area or plan accordingly.

The goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities to participate as productive and respected members of society by offering a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs.

The torch run winds throughout Florida and ends at the state Special Olympics Summer Games at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday, May 19.

Anyone interested in contributing to the Special Olympics is urged to contact Sarasota Special Olympics at (941) 412-0402 or visit www.sosarasota.org.