Special Olympics Torch Run Travels Through Howell

HOWELL, NJ — The 35th annual New Jersey Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run headed through Howell Township Friday morning, and the Howell police department carried it live on Facebook.

The local run, which started in Lakewood at 9 a.m. and was expected to finish in Marlboro at about 1:30 p.m. is one of 26 Torch Runs happening across the state Friday, all of which will culminate in the lighting of the cauldron to start the 2018 New Jersey Special Olympics, being held in Ewing this weekend.

The Annual Torch Run is the heart of the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement, the Special Olympics of New Jersey website says. "Each year, thousands of officers take to the streets of their local communities on one of 26 separate routes to help carry the 'Flame of Hope' to the Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony."

The Torch Run is just one of the fundraising efforts by law enforcement for the Special Olympics. There's also the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K, the United Plane Pull and the Adopt-a-Cop campaign, and of course the Polar Bear Plunges.

If you're headed up Route 9, be cautious and alert.

Photo via Howell Township Police Department Facebook video