Dozens participate as Special Olympics Torch Run heads through Sandoval County

Dozens of local first responders and Special Olympics athletes carried the “Flame of Hope” through Sandoval County Friday as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.

Known as the Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members work with Special Olympics athletes and their families while raising funds locally and globally. Multiple law enforcement agencies from around the state participated in the annual Torch Run State Relay run, which is a 1,600-mile statewide relay run that culminated at the Special Olympics New Mexico Summer Games in Albuquerque. The Special Olympics New Mexico Summer Games began Friday and will conclude June 2 at the UNM Track and Field Stadium and UNM Johnson Center.

Friday, members of the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Sandoval County Fire and Rescue, the Sandoval County Detention Center, the Pueblo of Santa Ana Police Department and others took part in the Sandoval County leg of torch run, which began in Algodones, went through Bernalillo and made a stop at the Sandoval County Administration Building.

Sandoval County Sheriff Jesse James Casaus, Chief Deputy Allen Mills and Lt. John Castañeda were among the large group of law enforcement members that took part in the run.

Casaus stressed the importance of supporting the Special Olympics, highlighting its positive impact on athletes and the community.

“We've been instrumental every year in being in support of the Torch Run; it’s really a good cause. Not to mention it's a lot of fun participating and getting to know people in this field,” Casaus said. “I'm grateful to support the Special Olympics and also New Mexico.”

Despite the long run and hot weather, the Special Olympics athletes were going strong as they ran toward the Games.

“I got introduced in sixth grade to the Special Olympics, so from there I did it all throughout high school and middle school. So I've done it for a couple of years,” Ben Blewitt said. “And it's fun. It's amazing. It's not hard on me; I run every day and I go on a walk every day. So this is nothing.”

The torch was then carried through Corrales, where it was picked up by Albuquerque Parole and Probation for its trip to Civic Plaza. From there, the torch was carried to the UNM Track & Field Complex for the Major Ceremony, which included the grand entry and lighting of the Special Olympics New Mexico cauldron.

Rio Rancho Police Department also took part in the torch run, going from RRPD headquarters to Latitude's Friday morning.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest public awareness vehicle and grassroots fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Annually, almost 110,000 law enforcement members carry the “Flame of Hope,” symbolizing courage, celebrating diversity and championing inclusion for people with intellectual and physical barriers.

“The Torch Run is an opportunity for first responders to be able to support Special Olympics and it gets the word out about Special Olympics athletes. We fundraise all throughout the year. This is kind of the culmination of all those events,” Bernalillo Police Department Officer Michael Martinez said. “We have athletes from all around the state that come in. We have about 3,000 athletes from around New Mexico. Our departments have been doing this run for about 10 years. The athletes are really excited to be here. It's something they look forward to all year.”

For more information on Special Olympics New Mexico, the State Law Enforcement Torch Run and to donate, click here.