From June 5 to 8, law enforcement members and Special Olympics BC athletes will run shoulder to shoulder through 16 Lower Mainland communities as part of the 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run for SOBC.

Participants in this annual four-day run will proudly carry the Flame of Hope through their communities as they spread their message of respect and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities. More than 400 law enforcement members and 50 SOBC athletes are expected to take part in the Lower Mainland Torch Run, including a core team that will run in every leg of the event.

“We are honoured that so many law enforcement members come out each year to support Special Olympics BC through the Lower Mainland Torch Run,” SOBC President & CEO Dan Howe says. “This event raises much-needed funds and awareness for SOBC, and it is inspiring to see the amazing levels of camaraderie and mutual respect between law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes.”

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.

The Port Moody Police Department is very excited to participate once again this year.  At 12:45pm Chief Fleugel will be addressing all of the participating Coquitlam RCMP and Port Moody members in front of the Port Moody detachment.  Runners will then make their way to Port Moody City Hall to be addressed by Mayor Mike Clay before proceeding into Coquitlam and onward.

Here is the Torch Run Schedule:

June 5: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, Surrey, White Rock

June 6: Burnaby, Vancouver, North Vancouver/West Vancouver

June 7: Maple Ridge, Port Moody/Coquitlam

June 8: New Westminster, Richmond, Delta/Ladner

LOWER MAINLAND LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN IN PORT MOODY/COQUITLAM

Speakers at start, during, and end of run

 

Start:                12:45 p.m. at Port Moody Police Department, 3051 Saint Johns Street

Finish:             2:20 p.m. at Spirit Square, 3000 Burlington Drive

 

Route: 

    • Right on St Johns Street/Barnet Highway
    • Left on Ioco Road
  • Left on Newport Drive to Port Moody City Hall

 

  • Brief stop at City Hall for speeches
  • Starting at 1:10 p.m., runners continue south on Ioco Road
  • Left on Barnet Highway
  • Left on Lansdown Drive
  • Right on Glen Drive
  • Left on Pacific Street
  • Right on Burlington Drive

 

 Arrive at Spirit Square

 

  • Barbecue to follow at Coquitlam RCMP Detachment/City Hall

 Full schedule by community: www.specialolympics.bc.ca/2018-Lower-Mainland-Torch-Run

Photos will be posted daily during the Lower Mainland Torch Run at www.flickr.com/photos/specialolympicsbc/albums

Photos from last year’s event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/specialolympicsbc/albums/72157682514991491

Twitter: @sobcsociety, @BCLETR, #TorchRun

Facebook and Instagram: @specialolympicsbc

www.specialolympics.bc.ca

 

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run

For more than 35 years, law enforcement members throughout the world have supported people with intellectual disabilities through the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The LETR movement has raised more than $3 million in British Columbia since 1990. To date, the LETR has raised more than $600 million for Special Olympics programs around the world. To learn more about the LETR, visit www.specialolympics.bc.ca/letr. Find BC LETR on Twitter @BCLETR.

About Special Olympics BC

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through the power and joy of sport. In 55 communities around the province, we provide year-round training and competitive opportunities in 18 different sports to more than 4,600 athletes of all ages and abilities, thanks to the dedicated efforts of over 3,900 volunteers. For more information, please visit www.specialolympics.bc.ca, and find us on Facebook and Instagram @specialolympicsbc and Twitter @sobcsociety.

Contact:

Michael Obendoerfer
Communications Coordinator
Special Olympics BC
P: 604.737.3131
E: michaelo@specialolympics.bc.ca