Officers will kick off the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Hays.

It is expected that 950 officers from more than 95 agencies will carry the “Flame of Hope” throughout 30 counties in Kansas as they travel to the annual Special Olympics Summer Games held in Wichita. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a series of statewide runs which will travel approximately 1,500 miles throughout the state.

Law enforcement officers, along with Brayden Hugunin of Burlington, Most Inspirational Athlete of 2013, will light the cauldron to officially open the Summer Games in front of over 3,000 athletes, coaches and fans of Special Olympics on Friday.

Locally, the Hays run route will be starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Walmart 4301 Vine, south on Vine to 27th street, turn right on 27th to Main, turn left on Main all the way to the Armory 200 S. Main. At the Armory, food will be served.

The public is invited to attend and encourage the officers on with cheering as they pass by your business or home. They will run approximately 3 miles.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in Wichita in 1981 with six runners and has grown to an international program that involves thousands of law enforcement personnel raising millions of dollars annually to benefit Special Olympics programs in the United States and abroad.

The Torch Run is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics.  Officers volunteer hundreds of hours each year and in 2013 raised $451,482 in support of Special Olympics Kansas programs. This remarkable feat was accomplished by holding events and fundraising through the statewide torch run, special event fundraisers (i.e. Polar Plunge, truck convoy), sponsorships and donations. Ed Pavey, director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is the honorary chairman of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. Kalmar Industries & Amerigroup Kansas are Guardians of the Flame.

Complete details of times and routes are available on www.kansastorchrun.org. You can support the Torch Run by making a secure donation online at www.kansastorchrun.org or contact Jana Fornelli at (913) 236.9290, Ext. 107.