The 35th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) is planned for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, June 16-18, when law enforcement officers will run through their town and pass the torch, with its flame of hope, at each town line.

The torch run aims to promote awareness of Special Olympics, support for the organization’s year-round sports and health programs, and inspire inclusion for people of all abilities in communities statewide. More than 1,500 officers are expected to participate, representing municipal departments, corrections facilities, military police, federal employees, Connecticut State Police, and college and university public safety officers.

The third leg of this year’s torch run is scheduled to pass through Newtown on Friday.

Newtown Police Department officers will again participate in the event.

Newtown Police Department Administrative Sergeant Jeff Silver told The Newtown Bee last week that while “the run is for law enforcement personnel only, we appreciate the cheering as officers run past.”

The torch is expected to reach Newtown at 11:58 am Friday, entering from the Bethel town line along Dodgingtown Road/Route 302.

Runners will continue on Sugar Street/Route 302 to the center of town. They will cross through the Main Street-South Main Street intersection onto Queen Street, follow Queen Street to Church Hill Road, and then go east on Church Hill to the parking lot of Blue Colony Diner, concluding its Newtown leg.

The torch run will culminate on June 18 with the traditional final leg, which will take place during the opening ceremony for the SOCT Summer Sports Series — a sports competition for its athletes — at Fairfield University.

While officers from across the state participate in the in-person run, all are invited to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the torch run and support Special Olympics athletes by participating in the Champions Challenge 5K Run/Walk (give.soct.org/event/2021-champions-challenge-5k) or purchasing a commemorative Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirt (https://give.soct.org/event).

To learn more about Special Olympics Connecticut, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and torch run events, such as Tip-A-Cop, that take place throughout the year, visit soct.org or email specialolympicsct@soct.org.

SOCT provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 12,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports partners — their teammates without disabilities. Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 193 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field.