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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