White River Junction
This Thursday, the Law Enforcement Torch Run will come to White River Junction to celebrate Upper Valley Special Olympians and raise money for Special Olympics Vermont. The national torch run is in its 50th year.
Beginning at 8 a.m., participants can walk (½-mile), run (1½ miles) or bike (3.2 miles) before meeting together for a ceremony at the Hartford Town Offices. The Hartford Police Department, particularly Police Chief Phil Kasten, have been big proponents of the event, encouraging more people to become involved and helping it grow in size each year.
“Every year we want a bigger crowd,” said Randi Harron, a parent volunteer who helps coordinate the torch run. Her son, Bo Harron, has participated in the event for 10 years. He plays basketball, runs track and horseback rides “but this is easily his favorite event,” Harron said.
Participants can show up the day of the event, or register in advance. Spectators are also welcome to attend the ceremony, where Special Olympians who are part of the Upper Valley Hawks are recognized for their achievements. Last year, around $5,000 was raised at the White River Junction event for Special Olympics Vermont.
Children from area schools and running groups attend, as well as employees from the Hartford Town Offices.
“If you want to make an impression, now is when you do it,” Herron said. “It’s like a cultural, a community change we’re trying to accomplish with all this.”
Editor’s note: The Summer Games take place on June 2 and 3 at the University of Vermont. For more information about the White River Junction event, email dperry@hartford-vt.org or call 802-295-9425. To learn more about the Law Enforcement Torch Run, visit http://www.letr.org/.
