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Local police officers hit pavement for Special Olympics

Annual Torch Run  reaches the Miami  Valley today on its way to Columbus.

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By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer 10:42 PM Wednesday, June 23, 2010

If you see police officers running down your street today, June 24, don’t be alarmed; they are probably taking part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

The annual event, which began in 1981, has been held in Ohio since 1985.

Ohio has five legs of the event, and each leg has a torch it carries to Ohio Stadium in Columbus for the opening ceremonies of the Ohio Special Olympics State Summer Games.

The Cincinnati-Columbus leg began Wednesday, runs through the Miami Valley today and is scheduled to arrive in Columbus on Friday evening.

According to Torch Run organizers, participants collect pledges and contributions. Last year, Ohio officers reportedly raised more than $425,000.

This year, officers from Centerville, Kettering, Dayton, Xenia, Springfield, the Ohio Highway Patrol, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office, the FBI, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Secret Service are among those taking part.

According to Centerville Public Information Officer Matt Dunn, the 11-mile leg traveling north on Ohio 48 will be preceded by police motorcycles and followed by a trolley.

“It is typically the hottest day of they year,” Dunn said. “And the officers are all going to try to make it the whole way. The trolley will have air-conditioning and drinks, just in case they are needed.”

Sgt. Steve Lane of the Xenia Police Department added: “We are usually blessed with high humidity. We just hope for no lightning — that’s the only thing that will stop it.”

Contact this reporter at

jikelley@

daytondailynews.com.