Annual Lewis County Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run is May 31 

Special Olympics athletes, the public and members of local law enforcement agencies are again preparing to run the Lewis County Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run, which will take place on Friday, May 31, this year.

Runners will start at the Napavine Police Department at 8 a.m. and follow a roughly 18-mile route through downtown Chehalis and downtown Centralia, ending in Fort Borst Park.

The event is the largest annual public awareness fundraiser for the Special Olympics, involving nearly 2,000 law enforcement personnel across Washington state and raising over half a million dollars for local programs annually, according to organizers.

The Lewis County event specifically benefits Lewis County Special Olympics, which is a local chapter of Special Olympics Washington.

The organization aims to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Donations to Special Olympics Washington cover all fees and expenses for the athletes, including costs associated with training and competition.

“Law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics state, provincial, national, regional and world games,” the Centralia Police Department stated on its Facebook page.

Members of the public who want to participate in the run on May 31 can register online at https://www.lewiscountyletr.com . There are also options to run virtually, sponsor a law enforcement runner or a Special Olympics athlete or simply donate to the cause.

The runners are expected to reach Market Street in downtown Chehalis at about 10:30 a.m. the day of the run.

For information on donating to Special Olympics Washington, visit https://specialolympicswashington.org/donate/ways-to-give/ .

Visit Lewis County Special Olympics’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CelibratingAbilities/ for updates on local Special Olympics activities.