Submitted
Ellis County law enforcement community members participated on June 20 in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kansas.
Runners from the Ellis County Sheriff's Office, Hays Police Department, Ellis County Detention, Ellis County Emergency Communications and Court Services carried the ceremonial torch 1.5 miles in Hays, running from 27th and Main south on Main Street to Frontier Park.
"Local law enforcement run in support of Special Olympics Kansas. We want them to know that we will be there and support them and to get the word out about what a great organization it is," said Roberta Oborny, sheriff's department records clerk.
Joining the runners were Special Olympics Kansas Coach of the Year 2023 Noalee McDonald Augustine, Hays, and local Special Olympians from Buffalo Adventures and Hays Buffs, along with some of their coaches.
"We had the athletes join us from the beginning and along the way because, in reality, it's all about them," Oborny said. "They really enjoyed being a part of our run."
Once at the park, the group was joined by supporters to enjoy drinks and snacks.
"We all were able to mingle, and the athletes were able to meet our law enforcement if they didn't already know them. And we were able to get a big group picture," she said.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon created the Torch Run. He thought the Torch Run would help law enforcement be active in the community and support Special Olympics Kansas. In 1983, Chief LaMunyon presented the program to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). They decided to endorse Torch Run and became the "Founding Law Enforcement Organization." With the IACP's support, LETR became the movement's largest public awareness and fundraising group for Special Olympics. — Kansas Special Olympics
