A Special Run

On Friday, a Special Olympics Torch will make its way through Moorestown on its way to The College of New Jersey for the 2011 NJ Special Olympics as part of the 28th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The torch will be carried by members of the Moorestown Police Department as part of the Leg 14 run. The torch, which will be handed off by the Maple Shade Police to Moorestown, will also travel through Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Delran, Willingboro, Burlington Township, Burlington City, Florence, Mansfield, Bordentown and Cinnaminson.

Moorestown will hand off to Cinnaminson at the townships’ border on Riverton Road. This leg will involve 40 officers and cover 100 miles.

“The law enforcement community has been involved in Special Olympics for many years, helping to raise money,” said Moorestown Police Sgt. Richard Gunning. “For me, it’s about helping individuals who have special needs and to bring public awareness to the Special Olympics organization.”

Gunning, who is the coordinator for the MPD, will not be able to run this year, however he has been part of the torch run for 18 years. This year Sgt. Joe Walsh, Sgt. Randy Pugh and Det. John Hinshillwood will be carrying the torch on its 8-mile journey through Moorestown.

Officers will get the torch from Maple Shade officers at the corner of Camden Avenue and Lenola Road. From there, the torch will proceed east on Camden to Main Street, where the runners will turn left and head toward Moorestown-Mount Laurel Road. After crossing over Route 38, the runners will turn on left Walt Whitman Drive and then left on Marter Avenue. From there, it’s back onto Main Street to Chester Avenue and then down Chester to meet with Cinnaminson at the border.

Moorestown officers are scheduled to get the torch around 8:50 a.m. Friday, however Gunning said that sometimes the torch gets delayed, but he expects the runners to be on Main Street by 9:30 a.m.

The journey ends when torches throughout the state ignite the cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies and officially opens the Summer Games, which will be held June 10-12 at TCNJ.

The run raises more than $38 million annually for Special Olympics around the world. More than 85,000 law enforcement personnel from 40 nations, 13 Canadian provinces and 50 states carried the "Flame of Hope," raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics.

"The dedication of the Law Enforcement community to Special Olympics New Jersey is evident all year long, especially on the day of Summer Games Opening Ceremonies," according to Marc S. Edenzon, president of Special Olympics New Jersey. "These committed friends epitomize their loyalty to the thousands of athletes of the Summer Games by their hands-on involvement and tireless efforts to raise funds and create awareness of Special Olympics, that success in life can be sparked by success on the playing field."