MANSFIELD — Richland County Sheriff’s deputy Burt Skeen set off on a nine-mile trek from Bellville to Fredericktown on Friday morning for the 30th annual Ohio Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The Torch Run is the largest grass roots fundraiser for Special Olympics Ohio. Law Enforcement officers carry the “Flame of Hope” through 150 communities in Ohio, raising awareness and funds along the way.
Skeen began participating in the run 14 or 15 years ago when he was an officer with the Bellville Police Department.
Before hitting the road, he stopped at the Kroger on Lexington Avenue for the pre-run ceremonies. The Kroger Company has served as the Presenting Sponsor for the Torch Run for the past 12 years.
Special Olympics athlete Adam Cerny of Medina had the honor of carrying the Flame of Hope while leading a group of people through the Kroger parking lot in Mansfield.
“It feels great,” he said of being leader of the pack.
He was joined by a few other athletes who will be competing in 2016 Special Olympics Ohio State Summer Games and some police officers throughout the region who have travelled to different communities this week for the Torch Run.
“What’s going to happen today is we’re going to run the torch through Mansfield, Bellville, Knox County, and then we’re going to go to Westerville and then we’re going to take it on down to Columbus, and then the opening ceremonies are tonight,” explained Shannon Davis of the Barberton Police Department.
“We’re just raising funds and awareness for the Special Olympics,” she said.
The Torch Run culminates Friday night, when officers will meet at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy and travel a 3.2-mile route to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium to pass the Flame of Hope to Special Olympics athletes during opening ceremonies of the summer games.
Cerny, who’s participated in the games for the past six or seven years, is looking forward to playing six-on-six volleyball tomorrow in the finals.
When asked if he was nervous, he responded, “Not at all,” with a smirk.
