CAMBRIDGE − The Special Olympics Torch made its way through Guernsey County on Wednesday as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Ohio.
The torch made its way to the Stop 9 Church Church of Christ in Byesville with the help of Noble County first responders. It then traveled to the offices of the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities before meeting with members of the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office at the Cambridge Municipal Court building.
Members of the Guernsey Eagles and their families waited at the Guernsey County Courthouse as the group of runners was escorted down Wheeling Avenue by members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the sheriff’s office. The escort included Licking County Sheriff’s Deputy Karen Dunlap, who piloted the dedicated Autism Awareness cruiser.
After a group photo, the torch traveled around the courthouse square with the help of four local athletes, Sean Lemley, Adam Finch, DJ Hall and Jason Hall.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a campaign aimed at raising money and awareness for the Ohio Special Olympics. According to Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Tim Cunningham, the goal is to provide funding that enables health education, sports programs and leadership opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and those served by local developmental disability boards.
The run started in 1981 and currently covers 71 different routes of 280 kilometers. In 2024, more than 600 care providers and athletes registered to participate in the run. This was the first year that community members were also invited to participate in carrying the flame.
The group set a goal of raising $100,000. At the time of Wednesday’s run, they had reached $91,300. Sergeant Cunningham expects to raise the remaining $10,000 within the week.
After being celebrated in Cambridge, the torch continued through Ohio, stopping in Zanesville, Clermont County, Medina, Creston, Orrville and ending the day in Wooster.
Those interested in learning more about the torch run or donating to the campaign can visit the group’s Facebook page or https://ohiotorchrun.org. Individuals with photos from the run are encouraged to tag them on social media with the hashtag LETR.
This article originally appeared in The Daily Jeffersonian: Law Enforcement Helps with Special Olympics Torch Run
