Torch Run Raises Money for Special Olympics

A tropical storm didn’t stop a group of law enforcement officers and athletes from running around parts of the state Friday in support of the Special Olympics.

Police Officers from throughout Bergen County took part in the statewide 2013 Special Olympics of New Jersey Torch Run Friday morning. In the Northwestern Bergen leg of the race, about 170 police officers from Mahwah, Ramsey, the Bergen County Sherriff’s Department, NJ State Police, and dozens of nearby agencies participated, running through the rain, passing a torch from town to town.

The officers held a kickoff ceremony at about 7 a.m. Friday at the Ramsey ShopRite, a financial supporter of the Special Olympics. Simultaneously at about 300 locations across the state, other torch runs began. By passing the torch from agency to agency, officers and athletes ran all the way to the College of New Jersey in Ewing, where a cauldron-lighting ceremony Friday evening officially opened the 2013 Summer Games.

According to Larry Mays, a detective with the Port Authority Police who coordinates the Western Bergen leg of the run each year, the event is designed to raise awareness about, and money for, the Special Olympics. Between this and other fundraising events the group held throughout the year, it was able to raise $2.9 million in 2012. Mays said this year they will raise just as much, or more.

“We do a lot throughout the year, between the polar plunges, the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge, the Snow Bowl,” Mays said. “But the Torch Run is our signature event.”

And, for the Run’s 30th anniversary Friday morning, Mother Nature gave the participating officers a challenge – Tropical Storm Andrea.

“In 18 years of being involved with this event, I’ve never seen it rain as much on the day of the run,” Mays said Friday evening. “But, in every town, every officer who is there every year, was there this year, running in the pouring rain to honor and carry the torch for our Olympians.”

Mays said he felt the dedication of the officers speaks to the caliber of the Special Olympics program.

“We would not be able to raise $2.9 million if not for the Mahwahs and the Ramseys and for every single officer out there,” he said. “It’s important because they see how much [the Special Olympics] does.”

If you missed the road detours, running officers, or Shop Rite kickoff, you can still donate to the cause online.

The Special Olympics will take place all weekend long at the College of New Jersey. Athletes will participate in Aquatics, Bocce, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Softball, Tennis, and Track & Field events. Law enforcement officers from throughout the state volunteer to help run the events, awards medals, and assist athletes.

Submit your questions or news tips to jessica.mazzola@patch.com. And, remember to sign up for Ramsey Patch's daily newsletter, and get updates on Facebook and Twitter.