Special Olympic athletes joined together with officers from various agencies in Maple Ridge for the 35th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Thursday morning, June 5, a group including seven local athletes, and officers from the Ridge Meadows RCMP, Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, and city bylaws, jogged a 1.8 kilometre route along downtown streets to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics BC, to make sport inclusive for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Money raised helps keep registration fees low for athletes and also goes towards equipment and uniforms.
Ridge Meadows RCMP Supt. Adam Gander, officer in charge of the Ridge Meadows RCMP, has been doing the run for more than two decades.
He loves being able to meet with the local athletes.
"They just get so excited to be with the police officers. It's just a great day for them," he said.
"If the police can lend a hand to this and be a really good fundraiser and bring awareness, we're just happy to be here," he said.
Staff Sgt. Michelle Luca said she has been working with Special Olympics BC through the torch run and the polar plunge for about 18 years, eight of those years with the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
"It's amazing, we get to know each other on a one-on-one basis. It's 91原创enal to have that relationship with the athletes," she said.
Luca learned after the run that she had been awarded the BC Law Enforcement Torch Run Award.
She said even to be nominated for the work they do for the Special Olympic athletes, is an honour, noting winning the award was a team effort.
Jenna Waihuist, 26, an athlete who is involved with bocce ball, soccer, and track and field, was doing the run for the first time.
"I'm here with my friends and my coaches are here to support me," she said.
David Stevenson, 30, been taking part in the run for about seven years. He is involved with power lifting, five pin bowling, and bocce ball.
"It helps include everyone so nobody feels left out," he said about being a part of Special Olympics BC.
Kevin Gillmore, a coach with Special Olympics for swimming and track and field, said the event is amazing because it heightens awareness in the community about the program and to say thanks for the community support.
"Also, we really like to get the awareness of the really high need for volunteers that we have," he said. "Many of our programs run the risk of not being able to run because of a lack of volunteers."
He said volunteers and coaches are desperately needed for sports like basketball, floor hockey, swimming, and track and field.
His son Kai has participated in the run around five times and he enjoys it.
Kai enjoys swimming and track and field, notably javelin.
And, said his father, when they get enough volunteers, Kai would like to play floor hockey.
But, he really excels at the running, Kevin added, noting he is going to provincials this year for track and field.
Anyone wanting to volunteer or coach can go to: .
As of Thursday afternoon, June 5, $2,605 had been raised of a $5,000 goal.
To donate go to: .
