Law Enforcement Torch Run
Thank you for supporting the 2018 3 Day Run! Save the date for 2019's run - June 5, 6, and 7! Then, come out and cheer on your local officers when the Run passes through your town!
Please join us for other Torch Run events throughout the entire year. For a listing of events happening near you, check out our event calendar, continuously updated as we add new events. Or follow us on social media @CTLETR.
Be sure to check out photos from events year-round by visiting our Smug Mug album HERE.
Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
Keep running, Keep believing, Keep inspiring
The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut is more than just an event. It is a mission, a serious commitment by the law enforcement community to pay homage to our heroes - Special Olympics Connecticut athletes and their families.
About
What is the Law Enforcement Torch Run?
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics. Known honorably as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the “Flame of Hope” into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National, Regional and World Games. Annually, more than 109,000 dedicated and compassionate law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity uniting communities around the globe.
In 2017, dedicated law enforcement volunteers raised over $58 million for Special Olympics programs around the World. Over $733 million has been raised since the inception of the LETR.
There are 109 LETR programs in 42 countries.
The man behind the first Torch Run in 1981 was Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon. He conceived the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement personnel in the community and to support Special Olympics. The Torch Run was quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) now recognized as the founding law enforcement organization for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Today, the Torch Run is more than just a run and encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles such as T-shirt and merchandise sales, special events to include polar bear plunges, Tip-a-Cop and building sits and a host of other events that have local, state and national appeal. The Law Enforcement Torch Run transforms communities by inspiring people to open their minds, to accept an include people with intellectual disabilities, celebrating differences among all people..recognizing and respecting the similarities we all share. For athletes and officers alike, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is a story of success, love, respect, and commitment between law enforcement officers and Special Olympic's athletes.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run in Connecticut
In 1986, Connecticut had its first Torch Run with a few legs converging onto the campus of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. The run then became a statewide event involving several more cities and towns. Since its inception, the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown into the largest grassroots fund-raising event for Special Olympics Connecticut.
Connecticut Participation at a Glance
- 1,500 active and retired law enforcement
- Over 90 active municipal departments
- 18 Department of Correction facilities
- Military police and Federal employees (IRS, FBI, DOD, etc)
- Connecticut State Police
- College & University Public Safety
3 Day Run
The 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run: June 5-7
The Torch Run will cover over 500 miles and pass through more than 100 cities and towns. Over 1,500 Law Enforcement officers and Special Olympics Athletes will participate in this year’s Torch Run. Officers represent local, state, and federal departments, agencies, and correctional facilities. Take a look at our sponsors for this event!
Click on the following Legs to see the turn by turn routes (Routes are based on 2018 data and may not be accurate for 2019 - please check back for updates in May 2019):
Wednesday, June 5th: Leg 1 - Leg 2
Thursday, June 6th (Coming Soon): Leg 3 - Leg 4 - Leg 4A - Leg 5 - Leg 6
Friday, June 7th: Leg 7 - Leg 8 - Leg 9 - Leg 9A - Leg 9B - Leg 10
Complete and submit the LETR Athlete Runner Form HERE.
Click here to connect with others involved with your leg.
Click the map for a full-size image.
- LETR Town Captains: Please confirm with your Leg Coordinator the locations where you hand off the Torch. In some cases, the town lines listed on these routes do not reflect the location where this takes place.
- SOCT Local Coordinators: If you have any questions or concerns regarding athlete runners, please contact Lisa Carlone at [email protected] or 203-230-1201 ext. 231.
Department Rankings
2017 Top Ten
1. South Windsor Police Department
2. Branford Police Department
3. Monroe Police Department
4. Bristol Police Department
5. Bridgeport Police Department
6. Enfield Police Department
7. Guilford Police Department
8. York Correctional Institution
9. Fairfield University DPS
10. Cheshire Police Department
Honorable Mention:
SBPD/Divers
Newington Police Department
Bridgeport Correctional Center
Simsbury Police Department
Vernon Police Department
Torch Run Resources
For LETR manual and forms click the links below:
Fundraising Resources
Council
Co-Torch Run Directors
Assistant Torch Run Director
Lieutenant Tim Bernier, Guilford PD
Statewide Torch Run Liaison
Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
