Local officers take part in Special Olympics Torch Run

The Special Olympics Torch made its way through West Linn and Lake Oswego last week, bringing with it some local athletes and law enforcement officers.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run represents a long-standing tradition within the Special Olympics family. During the week of July 8-14, more than 800 law enforcement volunteers (Guardians of the Flame) and Special Olympics Oregon athletes relayed the Flame of Hope to the Summer State Games, with their final destination being the games ceremonies at Newberg High School Stadium.

The torch passed through Clackamas County, including West Linn and Lake Oswego, on Friday, running from the West Linn police station, past Mary S. Young Park and then down Old River Road into Lake Oswego.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, more than 30 officers and athletes carried the torch from Waterfront Park in Milwaukie through West Linn and into Lake Oswego. The West Linn Police Department was represented by Capt. Ron Schwartz, Sgt. Mike Boyd and Assistant to the Police Chief Toni Tracy. The Lake Oswego Police Department was represented by Det. Lee Ferguson, Officer Dawn Pecoraro and Officer Karinya Moisan.

As a lover of running in general, Ferguson has participated in the torch run for the better part of the last 15 years.

“It’s a fun event,” he said. “You see a lot of the other officers you don’t get to see.”

Running the torch for the first time, Tracy said she wanted to participate in the run because about four years ago she reconnected with some friends whose son has special needs.

“This family has inspired me, along with their son, who has Down syndrome,” Tracy said. “We could all learn from these wonderful human beings that are placed in our lives for a reason.”

While running nearly 13 miles across Clackamas County, about a dozen Special Olympics athletes and officers took turns carrying the torch. Those needing a break or waiting for their turn to run, could ride in the vintage open air tour buses that followed them along the course.

Cindy Miguel, the head coach for the Clackamas County athletes, said she wanted her athletes to run only two miles that day, but many of them got caught up in the event and wanted to run more. And, several officers ran the entire length, nearing a half-marathon distance.

Miguel said this year’s turnout was by far the largest in the last few years, with more officers and athletes participating. She said, last year Milwaukie Police Chief Bob Jordan ended up running the entire second half of the run on his own, which in turn showed the athletes his determination and strength.

“It had a huge impact on the athletes,” Miguel said.

She added that many more first-time Special Olympic athletes turned out this year.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Miguel said. “It was just breathtaking.”

Nearing the finish, all the runners joined together for the final downhill stretch to the Lake Oswego Albertsons, which put on a barbecue celebration for them.

“It was nice to see them all out there enjoying themselves,” Ferguson said. “It’s fun to see the athletes’ faces.”

“We all had great fun,” agreed Tracy.

Before the runners turned the torch over to Washington County, participants enjoyed a reception at the Lake Oswego Albertsons, where Special Olympic athlete Duane Cleary works. Cleary was one of those honored with carrying the torch.

Organized by Jordan, officers from Milwaukie, Gladstone, Oregon City, West Linn, Canby, Lake Oswego and Clackamas County gave their time and dedication to raise money that will provide uniforms, equipment, transportation, lodging, facilities and, of course, competitions for the athletes.

Last year in Oregon, the combined effort of nearly 70 agencies participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $630,000.

“These young athletes inspire me to be a better person, and I have always had a soft spot in my heart for kids in general,” Tracey said.

The final leg of the Torch Run took place on Saturday from McMinnville to Newberg and arrived at the Newberg High School at 5 p.m.

Officials then conducted the final torch procession with more than 75 officers, athletes and their coaches parading into the stadium for the games ceremonies at 7:30 p.m.

Over the course of the weekend, about 3,000 Special Olympics Oregon athletes, coaches and volunteers competed for Olympic medals and ribbons in softball, golf, bocce, track and field and gymnastics.

The athletes have been training for a minimum of eight weeks for the State Summer Games and must have participated in one of many regional competitions to be eligible to compete last weekend.

Special Olympics Oregon serves the largest disability population in the state and this year they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita, Kan., in 1981. Now a year-round global event, all 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run relay. In Oregon, more than 1,000 law enforcement personnel from federal, military, state, county and local agencies participate in the Torch Run, Special Olympics Oregon’s largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness program.

For more information about the Special Olympics, visit soor.org.