The 37th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT) is underway, and Newtown is just a few hours out from receiving and carrying the torch.

Law enforcement personnel, joined in some towns by SOCT athletes, have been carrying Special Olympics Torches across the state since Wednesday morning. During the Torch Run, law enforcement officers run through their towns and cities carrying the Special Olympics Torch, with its “Flame of Hope,” passing to neighboring officers at each town line.

More than 1,500 officers are expected to participate in this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run. Among them will be officers from municipal departments and correction facilities, as well as military police and federal employees, Connecticut State Police and college and university public safety officers. Special Olympics athletes will run alongside them in select towns.

Newtown Police Department Sergeant William Chapman confirmed with The Newtown Bee the local portion of the Law Enforcement Torch Run will be taking place on June 2.

“We anticipate an 11:30 start,” he said. Officers will be running the usual route, picking up the torch from a group arriving from Bethel at the town line on Dodgingtown Road/Route 302.

The route will take the torch along Route 302, where the road becomes Sugar Street, to that road’s intersection with Route 25. Participants will cross Route 25, to Queen Street, and follow that road to its intersection with Church Hill Road. Runners will then bear right, traveling east to 66 Church Hill Road, concluding in the parking lot of Blue Colony Diner.

“The highlight of the run, for the officers, is being joined by our Newtown High School Unified Sports athletes for the final sprint,” Chapman said. “It is a joy to connect with them and get to see the kids who directly benefit from the funds raised.”

The public is encouraged to cheer for the runners along any section of the route.

Donations to SOCT are welcome, and can be dropped at Newtown Police Department, 191 South Main Street, or mailed to that address. Either way, donations should be sent to the attention of Sgt Chapman/SOCT.

Checks should be payable to Special Olympics Connecticut with “Newtown Police” in the memo line.

The Torch Run aims to promote awareness and understanding of Special Olympics, raise funds to support its athletes of all abilities, and build excitement around its annual Summer Games, which will kick off on June 3. Competitions will be taking place June 3-4 and 10-11 at locations in Fairfield, New Haven, Orange, and West Haven.

To find out more about the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Connecticut, visit soct.org and follow Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.