Torch Run blazes through county
Berl Tiskus
A Special Olympian holds the torch as she stands next to Polson Police Chief Wade Nash.
Berl Tiskus
A Special Olympian holds the torch as she stands next to Polson Police Chief Wade Nash.
Berl Tiskus
Ali Bronsdon heads up Polson Hill to bring awareness to the Special Olympics Torch Run.
Berl Tiskus
Berl Tiskus
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POLSON — In its third day, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics came down Jette Hill and into Polson on May 1 about 1 p.m. carrying the Flame of Hope. Bikers Mitch Young, Ali Bronsdon and John Azzopardi followed Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Shad Andersen into town and were followed by troopers.
A group of Polson Special Olympians met Polson Police Chief Wade Nash and Polson officers, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and Montana Highway Patrol troopers in the First Interstate Bank parking lot and continued on to Town Pump, a major sponsor of the event.
The run continued Friday through Ronan, surrounded by a law enforcement escort until they were met by Ronan Special Olympians. The torch run began in 1985 in Montana. In 2013 law enforcement agencies around the state raised more than $500,000 for Special Olympics. It’s the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics in the nation.
Officers, bikers and runners, also carried the Flame of Hope from Malta to Havre on the high line on May 1. The run begins in 16 locations around Montana and ends when the flames meet at the Montana Special Olympic Games in Billings on May 13. The games will continue through May 16.
Lake County has two teams who compete in Special Olympics events — one in Ronan and one in Polson.
