Aberdeen Police To Participate In Torch Run

Police from departments around the state are expected to participate in the 32nd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Friday.

The torch run has been held since 1983 to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics New Jersey: the 2015 Special Olympics New Jersey Summer Games will be held this weekend at the College of New Jersey in Ewing.

More than 3,000 officers are expected to carry the Flame of Hope through more than 300 communities. There are 26 separate legs of the run, which culminates with the lighting of the Special Olympics New Jersey cauldron at Friday night’s opening ceremony.

Rutgers Football Coach Kyle Flood will serve as the honorary coach to the Special Olympics New Jersey athletes.

Middletown, Holmdel, Hazlet and Aberdeen police, along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office are expected to participate in the run, on a route that begins at 5 a.m. at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Runners will head up Route 35 into Monmouth County. That leg of the run is expected to end around 2:20 p.m. in Perth Amboy in Middlesex County.

Last year, the torch run raised more than $3.1 million.

“Special Olympics New Jersey athletes are fortunate to train, compete, and have access to many health and empowerment programs completely free of charge,” Jason Schubert, Senior Director of Law Enforcement Sponsorship for Special Olympics New Jersey said in a prepared statement. “None of it would be possible without the dedication of our law enforcement officers. They truly are champions for our athletes.”

Patch file photo