About the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics
The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics (also known as the Torch Run) is an international movement of law enforcement officers who work together to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics.
While the Torch Run program involves a variety of activities and events throughout the year and across the globe, the highlight of the movement is a series of torch relays run by law enforcement officers in coordination with Special Olympics events throughout the world.
The Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run is part of the international Torch Run program and involves hundreds of law enforcement officers who team up to support Special Olympics athletes in Indiana. While the Indiana Torch Run program is active in volunteer and fundraising activities all year long, the annual highlight of the program is the running of the torch to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games. This annual torch relay is known as the Final Leg.
To kick off the Final Leg each year, the Special Olympics Indiana "Flame of Hope" is lit in a kick-off ceremony in Indianapolis that includes the participation of Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers from around the state. The torch is then carried by law enforcement officers in consecutive relay segments, also known as "legs." In one day, officers run or bike 20 "legs" in all, following State Route 40 from Indianapolis to Terre Haute and the site of the Special Olympics Indiana Summer Games on the campus of Indiana State University. In the evening, one law enforcement officer and one Special Olympics Indiana athlete unite to carry the torch into Opening Ceremonies. There, they light the cauldron to signify the opening of the Summer Games event. Learn more about the plans for the Final Leg.
Indiana Torch Run History
The Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1984 as a single event. Since then, it has evolved into a dynamic, year-round relationship between Special Olympics and law enforcement officers and encompasses a variety of Torch Run events. Funds are raised for Special Olympics Indiana through activities such as Tip-A-Cops, billboard and rooftop sits, golf tournaments, T-shirt sales, the annual Harley-Davidson® Raffle, the Polar Bear Plunge Presented By Edy's Grand Ice Cream, the Plane Pull® Challenge and the World's Largest Truck Convoy® for Special Olympics.
Incentive Program
To thank you for your participation in the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run program, Special Olympics Indiana offers an incentive prize program for law enforcement officers who raise money for Special Olympics Indiana. Learn more about the incentive program.
How can I get involved?
The Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run program is working to raise $300,000 for Special Olympics Indiana. Find out how you can you can get involved and help us reach the goal! To learn more, contact Scott Furnish at sfurnish@soindiana.org or any of the Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run contacts.