Flame of Hope Travels Through Downtown

ZANESVILLE, OH – Law enforcement officers and Ohio Special Olympics athletes gathered in Zanesville, Wednesday,  for the Law Enforcement Torch Run through downtown just barely beating a burst of rain.

Each year, officers carry the “Flame of Hope” along with athletes into the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies at The Ohio State University. The flame symbolizes courage, perseverance and the inclusion movement taking place in Ohio and across the globe.

“With this torch run there are 71 legs and we run over 175 miles. Let’s see, we have over 600 law enforcement, SO-OH athletes, and community members running in this,” Licking County Deputy Sheriff Karen Dunlap said.

The goal is to raise awareness and funding for the for the Ohio Special Olympics. So far they have raised 90% of their $100,000 goal.

“This is amazing, the community support for these kids and athletes it drives them, it helps them, it gets them going, it makes them want to try and do their best that they possibly can,” Dunlap said.

The final leg of the torch run starts this Friday at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and arrives at Ohio Stadium at 7:30 p.m. for the opening ceremonies.

The games take place this weekend with 20 Muskingum County athletes competing. Visit their website for more information or to donate to the Ohio Special Olympics.