Annual Torch Run raises money for Special Olympics

WASILLA — As uniformed troopers and police officers clapped and cheered, runners, walkers and even a few who would best be described as sauntering crossed the finish line in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. Organizers said this was the fifth year the Valley has participated.

Sharon Perrin, the organization’s community relations manager, said that 13 communities across the state participate simultaneously, each with its own torch to take around the 5K course.

“I believe it’s the largest simultaneous run” in the state, Perrin said.

Not everyone who ran was a member of law enforcement, but at least a dozen or two police and troopers participated. Others showed up in uniform to direct traffic or cheer people across the finish line.

Deb Langendorfer said turnout was good and they handed out more than 100 T-shirts.

“There’s probably a good 100 people participating,” she said, maybe even 150.

Like a lot of charity runs, the Torch Run asks participants to find people to make donations to the cause.

“All of the money from that goes into the Mat-Su Special Olympics program,’” Langendorfer said.

Perrin said it’s a significant fundraiser for each community that participates, bringing in a healthy percentage of the local organization’s funding.

“Each community has their own budget,” Perrin said. “We try to make this a major fundraiser for each of our communities.”

Special Olympics, she said, is a yearlong thing. When one sport ends its season, another begins. Athletes train for 10 weeks prior to a competition.

“Right now our athletes are training for the summer games,” she said. The summer games competition features multiple sports. There are also tournaments featuring just two sports.

The list of sports is long and varied and includes bocce, golf, snowshoeing, skiing, gymnastics and floor hockey. There are Special Olympics programs partnered with schools and standalone programs. The Valley has both.

“It’s not just a one-day event. And it changes lives,” she said.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.