Torch Run
What We Do
The Nebraska Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) involves law enforcement officers from various agencies all across the state running the Special Olympics Nebraska “Flame of Hope” throughout the state to raise money and awareness for athletes who have an intellectual disability. The LETR precedes Summer Games, which takes place annually in May in Omaha. During “Torch Run Week,” which is the week before Summer Games, Torch Run ceremonies are held in many communities in Nebraska. The ceremonies consist of local law enforcement, athletes and community members running the Special Olympics torch in their communities and celebrating with athletes, families, volunteers and supporters. At the end of Torch Run Week officers gather in Omaha to run the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremonies of Summer Games to light the event’s torch. This lighting of the torch represents the beginning of the Summer Games and brings joy and pride to the thousands of athletes, families, coaches and spectators who are a part of the Opening Ceremonies.
2023 Torch Run Events
Location: MCCOOK
Date: May 8th
Start: 6:00p.m.
Event: Run will start and end at Crossfit McCook. The run will be about 1 mile.
Contact: Jackie Thelen, Jackie.Thelen@nebraska.gov
Location: KEARNEY
Date: May 9th
Registration: 4:30p.m.
Start: 5:00p.m.
Event: Start at the corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue
Contact: Rob Taillon, RTaillon@kearneygov.org
Location: NORTH PLATTE
Date: May 10th
Start: 3:30p.m.
Event: Start at the Bomgaars parking lot and end at the old ALCO building. The route will be slightly over 1 mile.
Contact: Nathan Veal, Nathan.Veal@nebraska.gov
Location: AURORA
Date: May 11th
Start: 5:30p.m.
Event: Start at the county courthouse, west to 8th Street and north to Cole Park
Contact: Jeromy McCoy, jmccoy@hamiltoncountysheriff.org
Location: GRAND ISLAND
Date: May 12th
Start Time: 12:00p.m.
Event: Start at Resurrection Church.
Contact: Michelle Anderson, manderson@gipolice.org
Location: BEATRICE
Date: May 15th
Registration: 4:30p.m.
Start: 5:00p.m.
Event: Run begins at 1300 Court Street in the parking lot of Russ’ Market and ends at 5th Street & HWY 136.
Contact: Natasha Nesbitt, nnesbitt@beatrice.ne.gov or Toni Rieman, 402.520.8664
Location: SCOTTSBLUFF/GERING
Date: May 15th
Registration: 5:00 – 5:45p.m.
Start: 5:45p.m.
Event: Torch Run will start at the Scotts Bluff National Monument parking lot. On-site registration will take place in the Monument parking lot. The run will conclude at the Legion Park.
Contact: Jason Rogers, JRogers@gering.org
Location: LINCOLN
Date: May 17th
Start: 12:00p.m.
Event: Run begins at noon, followed by a ceremony beginning at 12:30p.m. on the steps of the Lincoln Police Department headquarters.
Contact: Lynette Russell, LPD1254@cjis.lincoln.ne.gov
Location: OMAHA
Date: May 18th
Registration: 6:00 – 6:45p.m.
Start: 7:00p.m.
Event: Omaha will host a Run/Walk. Runners/walkers will meet at meet at the Rasmussen Fitness and Sports Center on Creighton’s campus and end at the Ryan Athletic Center/D.J. Sokol Arena at Creighton. The run will be just over 3 miles. The walk will be 1.5 mile through Creighton's campus and kids under 12 walk for free. Runners/walkers may begin to pick up t-shirts from 6-6:45p.m.
After the Run: The Special Olympics Nebraska Opening Ceremonies will be held at the DJ Sokol auditorium at 7:00p.m. All runners are asked to please come and run the torch into Opening Ceremonies. It estimated that the torch will enter the auditorium around 8:00p.m.
Contact: Marcus Taylor, marcus.taylor@cityofomaha.org
