Come Cheer East Providence Runners Today

Members from the East Providence and departments, along with correctional officers, will once again participate in the Special Olympics Torch Run today.

The run crosses Rhode Island, ending at the Meade Stadium at the  University of Rhode Island's Kingston Campus, where the games will begin. It is comprised of five legs, including an East Bay Leg that incorporates a run from East Providence to Barrington for the passing of the torch.

The East Bay Leg is close to 35 miles, East Providence police officer and departmental Special Olympics coordinator Tammy David said. People can join in the run or cheer from the sidelines.

This year, East Providence participants have reached out to school principals to invite students who run track to participate, and some will be, according to David.

The East Providence portion of the East Bay Leg will begin at at 913 Broadway and will traverse the following streets:

• East on Warren Avenue
• South on Pawtucket Avenue
• Merge onto Bullocks Point Avenue
• Left onto Crescent View Avenue
• Merge onto Willett Avenue on Barrington line to pass torch to Barrington runners

The East Bay leg will leave East Providence at 1 p.m., according to the Rhode Island Special Olympics' website. David expects those running to average a relative pace of 9 minutes a mile and hopes the roughly 5.5 mile run will be made even more fun by enthusiastic supporters.