BELLVILLE, Ohio–Updated July 1–Bellville Police Officer Burt Skeen has participated in the Ohio Special Olympics Torch Run for more than 10 years. He runs from Bellville to Fredericktown, a run that is a little over 10 miles in traffic and over hills.
Officer Skeen runs on state Route 13 south, with Bellville Police escorts, to Fredericktown. He will run Friday morning.
“I can’t remember, honestly, how many years it’s been since I started this….I would say I started in 2003 or 2004. I hope this year my aging body holds up,” Skeen said.
“I like the comradery of other departments meeting and getting to know each other. Generally, it’s the same faces you see year after year. The reason I do the torch run is because when I first started here there was no one from Bellville participating. I felt the Bellville Police department should take part since many agencies from the area do. The torch relay used to stop in Bellville and no one would continue from Bellville to Fredericktown. I also thought it looked bad for the department to have this relay stop in your village and no one participate.
“I’m a Master Mason and the Masonic Lodge has made huge monetary contributions to the Special Olympics,” Officer Skeen said.
Each year, Mansfield Police Officers gather at the Kroger store on Lexington Avenue at 8 a.m. to begin the run to Bellville.
The 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run, presented by The Kroger Company, will place June 18 – 26 across Ohio. The officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through 150 communities, creating awareness of Special Olympics and raising funds for the program.
This year, over 2,000 officers will run or bike one of five main arteries or one of several satellite community runs throughout the state. The Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics Ohio.
There are five main routes originating in Athens, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Marietta, and Toledo and travel to Columbus. There are several community satellite legs, including Bellville, throughout the state.
The Final Leg brings together officers from all parts of the state to carry the torch to the Opening Ceremonies of the State Summer Games. The Final Leg will leave the State Highway Patrol Academy at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 26 with participants running with the torch 3.2 miles to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
“The main focus of the Special Olympics is, of course, the athletes. Each year, on each leg of the relay, you have a new athlete to meet. Each one of their stories is unique. All of the athletes seem very happy to be the center of attention despite any adversity they may be facing. I think everyone can learn from that,” Skeen said.
The annual intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and to gain awareness for the athletes who participate in Special Olympics Ohio, along with providing police officers visibility while giving back to their respective communities.
The 2015 Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run, presented by The Kroger Company, will place June 18 – 26 across Ohio. The officers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through 150 communities, creating awareness of Special Olympics and raising funds for the program.
This year, over 2,000 officers will run or bike one of five main arteries or one of several satellite community runs throughout the state. The Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics Ohio.
