From May 31 to June 3, law enforcement runners and Special Olympics athletes will take to the streets with a message of respect and inclusion as they lace up in communities around the Lower Mainland for the 2016 BC Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics BC.

The LETR is a global movement that raises vital funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Since 1990, the BC LETR have been dedicated supporters of SOBC with LETR members around the province leading a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, raising more than $3 million to date. The Torch Run is the highlight of the calendar. Approximately 300 runners from a range of agencies and about 50 Special Olympics athletes are expected to join in the runs together in their communities, carrying the Flame of Hope and raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

“It’s fantastic to see the different law enforcement agencies in the Lower Mainland come together to support Special Olympics,” Rick Lucy, the BC LETR Provincial Director and a retired Deputy Chief Constable with the Abbotsford Police Department, said. “Every year law enforcement members, including myself, look forward to running with Special Olympics athletes and seeing people from all the communities come out to cheer us on. We are so inspired by the dedication, camaraderie, and true spirit of sport we see in the athletes, and it’s an honour to support such a worthy cause.”

Participating agencies include the Abbotsford, Delta, New Westminster, Port Moody, Vancouver, and West Vancouver police departments, RCMP detachments throughout the Lower Mainland, Canada Border Services Agency, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and Metro Vancouver Transit Police.

Day 1, May 31: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey, White Rock

Day 2, June 1: Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver/West Vancouver

Day 3, June 2: Mission, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, Port Moody/Coquitlam

Day 4, June 3: New Westminster, Richmond, Delta/Ladner