Torch Run - Special Olympics Florida

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Torch Run

Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics

Law enforcement officers from over 300 Florida agencies (police departments, sheriff's offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Marine Patrol) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Florida. Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1500-mile relay through 66 counties in Florida.

Funds are generated through contributions from individuals and businesses along the way and through sales of the popular Torch Run T-shirts and caps.

This event is held each year prior to Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games. The intrastate torch relay will start at the end of March and culminate at the Opening Ceremonies on May 18, 2012. Officers from around the state join together to bring the Flame of Hope™ into the stadium.

Sponsorships

There are several levels of sponsorship available with benefits for local and statewide exposure. The Law Enforcement Torch Run attracts countless media exposure statewide and is the largest fundraising and public awareness project for Special Olympics Florida.

Premier Sponsor:

Gold Sponsors:

2012 Torch Run Routes by County

For exact times and routes, please contact your local Police Department or Sheriff's Department. Dates/cities subject to change.

COUNTY	DATE
Alachua	April 14 Registration at 9:00 am at the Westgate Publix at 125 SW 34th St. in Gainesville. Run begins at 10:00 am Route: South on SW 34^th St. to Archer Road, then west on Archer Road to the Butler Plaza West Publix. The distance is approximately 2.5 miles, and there will be refreshments at the end of the run. There will be a shuttle from the Butler Plaza Publix to the Westgate Publix starting at 9:00 am.
Baker	April 2
Bay	April 4
Bradford	April 16
Brevard	April 27
Broward	April 26 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Volunteers can participate in the annual Florida Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics and/or join us after the run for a picnic with the athletes. Run starts at 8:30 am at Countyline Rd. / A1A (Hallandale Bch) and continues to US1 and Palm Beach line. The picnic will be held at Dan Witt Park, 4500 NE 22 Avenue, Lighthouse Point starting at 1:30 pm. Contact your district/facility/unit Torch Run representative for more information.
Calhoun	April 10
Charlotte	April 18
Citrus	April 23
Clay	April 5 Run starts at 10:00 a.m. Begin at Pine Tree Plaza Publix (410 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, FL), cross SR21 (Blanding Blvd) going east, turn south on Mound Street to make a 5-10 min. water stop at Lighthouse Learning Cetner (550 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL), travel north on Mound Street and turn south on US Hwy 17, cross over the Doctor’s Lake Bridge and CR220 (on US Hwy 17). The torch will travel east across US Hwy 17 at Fleming Island Plantation Blvd. and will finish at the Pavillion Hibernia Publix Store #1210 (865 Hibernia Road).
Collier	April 4
Columbia	April 12 10 am - D.O.T. South Marion St., Lake City
Desoto	April 16
Dixie	April 18
Duval	April 4 Torch Run will start in front of the Police Memorial Building, 501 E Bay Street in Jacksonville and end at The Jacksonville Landing. The one-mile walk and three-mile run will start together at 10:00 a.m.
Escambia	March 26
Flagler	April 10
Franklin	April 6
Gadsden	April 9
Gilchrist	April 8
Glades	April 21 The Torch Run begins at the parking lot of First Bank located on Hwy 27 and West Avenue. The runners will run south bound on U.S. 27 until they reach 3^rd Street Avenue J, where they will meet up with other participants. Once all participants are gathered at 3^rd street, they will all walk as a group and end the run at the Moore Haven City Park located on Avenue J and 1st Street.
Gulf	April 5
Hamilton	April 19
Hardee	April 17
Hendry	April 20 Run will start at the American Legion on HWY80 in Labelle and travel east to the Sheriff's Office parking lot. We will start at approx. 1530 hrs.
Hernando	April 9 The run will begin at 9:30 am at Killingsworth Plaza at 19259 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, and end at the Hernando County Court House on Main Street, Brooksville.
Highlands	April 19 Run starts at 7:30 am in the Publix Parking Lot (Southgate Shopping Center at 2824 Highway 27 South, Sebring) and we will be running to Veteran’s Beach. It’s a little over 3 miles. It’s the same route as last year.
Hillsborough	April 11 Stage: 10:00 am at Ballast Point Park 10:15 Leave Ballast Point, travel north on Bayshore (2.3 miles) 10:35 Pass Bay-to-Bay, continue 2.4 miles (Staging area two: For runners that would like to do 3.2 miles, we will slow down the pace to 11 minute mile pace for 2.4 miles. Parking is available on the southwest corner.) 11:10 Arrives at the Pirate Ship Wharf (short rest for photos) (Staging area three: For runners that want to do .8 miles at a 12-13 minute mile pace.) 11:19 Leave for downtown Convention Center (slow jog) 11:25 Arrive at the Convention Center (.8 miles)
Holmes	April 2
Indian River	April 18 We are leaving Ercildoune Lanes at 10:00 am going down US1 to Publix on Roseland Rd and US1. Then to Capt Hirams on Indian River Drive to Main Street ending at Friendship Park behind the Special Olympics office for a BBQ.
Jackson	April 11
Jefferson	April 11
Lafayette	April 16
Lake	April 25
Lee	April 20
Leon	April 3 Registration begins at 9:30 am at the Publix located on the corner of Tharpe Street and Monroe Street. The run will start approximately 10:15 am. Route: From the Publix, South on Monroe Street to the Capitol Courtyard. There will be a stop at Monroe and Park Ave. Lunch will be provided after the ceremony. The Torch Run ceremony will begin at 11:00 am, on the steps of the old Capitol, in the Capitol Courtyard.
Levy	April 19
Liberty	April 9
Madison	April 12
Manatee	April 6
Marion	April 20 Registration begins at 8:30 am and the run should begin at 9:00 am. From Ocala Police Department South on Pine to SW 17th Street. East on 17th Street to Churchill Square entrance. SE 3 Ave. to SE Broadway with a stop at Eighth Street Elementary and Osceola Middle School. West on SE Broadway to SE 1 Ave. Around the Ocala Square to S. Magnolia Ave. To SE 5th Street and back to OPD parking lot.
Marion Dunnellon	April 24 5:00 p.m. registration will be at Dunnellon Wal-Mart, 11012 N Williams Street and end at the Dunnellon City Hall by the Withlacoochee River. There will be a street dance afterwards.
Martin	April 12 The run will begin at the Publix on Cove Road and participants are asked to arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and should last approximately two hours. The route will conclude at the Publix located north of the Roosevelt Bridge (Baker Road/Federal Highway).
Miami-Dade	April 20 The Opening Ceremony will start at approximately 8:30 am in the parking lot of Publix located at 891 N. Homestead Blvd., Homestead. The Ceremonial run will start at approximately 9:00 am from that location and the run route will end at Campbell Drive Middle School located at 900 NE 23^rd Ave., Homestead. The second leg consists of a 5 mile run which will start at approximately 10:30 am at Miami City Hall located at 3500 Pan American Dr., Coconut Grove. The run will be the same route as last year and it will end at Miami City Hall. Please feel free to utilize the parking spaces at Miami City Hall.
Monroe	April 13
Nassau	April 3
Okaloosa	March 28 The route starts in Crestview in front of the Veterans Memorial (adjacent to the Courthouse) at 7am. We’ll run down Main Street and end at North Okaloosa Medical Center. The Torch will be passed to other participating agencies at the Mullet Festival Grounds, pass through Niceville, Eglin AFB, and on to Fort Walton Beach. The run will end at the Publix located at Hwy 98 in Fort Walton Beach. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Crestview Police Department, 850-305-7839 Cell.
Okeechobee	April 14 9:20 am - Starting from the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office, located at 504 NW 4th Street, travelling east on NW 4th Street, south on Highway 441, and end at Publix, located at 3551 Highway 441 South at approximately 10:00 am. Contact Michelle Bell, 863-763-3117.
Orange	April 17 Park and stage at Cypress Grove Park (290 Holden Avenue) at 8:00 a.m. Walkers begin promptly at 9:15 and runners at 9:30. Run will travel east on Holden Avenue to Orange Avenue, then south on Orange Avenue to Edgewood Police Department for a 5K loop back up Orange Avenue to Cypress Grove Park. Stay for lunch at the Russell Home afterward.
Osceola	May 9 Registration is at 8:00 am and run starts at 9:00 am. Route starts at St. Cloud City Hall, east on 192 to Kissimmee Civic Center.
Palm Beach	April 11 Stage at Lantana Beach Public parking lot at 8:30 am. Run begins at 9:00 am. West on Ocean Avenue to US1. South on US1 to Hypoluxo. West on Hypoluxo to Lawrence. North on Lawrence to the Royal Palm School for a total of 5.5 miles.
Pasco	April 12 9:00 am - Will begin at Pasco Fire Rescue Station #23, located at 21300 State Road 54 Land O' Lakes Florida. We will cross east bound State Road 54 then head west bound approximately a 10th of a mile to the intersection of Land O' Lakes Boulevard (US41) / State Road 54. We will head north bound in the right-hand lane of Land O' Lakes Boulevard (US41) approximately 2 miles to the intersection of Bell Lake Road. Just north of the that intersection, we'll cross south bound lanes of Land O' Lakes Boulevard (US41) and then head north bound on School Road approximately 1-1/2 miles. The run will end at the Land O' Lakes Community Center located 5401 Land O' Lakes Boulevard Land O' Lakes. We are anticipating the run to take approximately 45 minutes to complete. The Sheriff's Office will have 3 or 4 Citizen Service Units to assist with road safety. Contact: Sergeant B. Barrington, Pasco Sheriff's Office, District 3, 727 277-7083
Pinellas	April 10
Polk	April 13 Check-in starts at 8:00 am. Run begins at 9:00 am at Southgate Publix shopping center (2518 S. Florida Ave) and ends at the Publix at Lake Miriam Square (4730 S. Florida Ave).
Putnam	April 9
Santa Rosa	March 27
Sarasota	April 19
Seminole	April 26
St. Johns	April 6
St. Lucie	April 13 We will meet at PSLPD at Airoso and PSL blvd at 4pm. We plan to start at 4:30. The route will be east on Port St Lucie Blvd, north on Veterans Memorial Pkwy and end at the City Center.
Sumter	April 24
Suwannee	April 17
Taylor	April 13
Union	April 13
Volusia	April 11
Wakulla	April 16
Walton	March 29 Meet promptly at 08:30 am at the Walton County Baptist Association parking lot, 861 U.S. Highway 90 West, Defuniak Springs, FL. This is located directly across the street from Northwest Florida State College. Additional parking will be available at the VFW located directly behind the Baptist Association building. We will run east on U.S. Highway 90 for approximately 1.5 miles and end on the front lawn of the Walton County Courthouse. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Washington	April 3