Law enforcement officers and officials from Junction City and Geary County carried the Special Olympics Kansas Flame of Hope Thursday from Grant Avenue to Heritage Park.

Junction City Police Chief Dan Breci said they do it for the Special Olympics kids. The runners took the torch from the Fort Riley contingent that brought it across post to Grant Park in Junction City. ” It’s always fun to see the Soldiers coming over the bridge, carrying the torch and then meeting with Special Olympics kids led by John Hagerty.” There were about seven law enforcement officers and approximately 10 Special Olympics youth participated in the 1.5 mile run that ended in Heritage Park.

Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald participated in the run. “I think it’s important that we definitely support our Special Olympics kids and all of us are setting an example for all of these kids as well as our community.”

The run was part of a 1,600 mile journey for the Flame of Hope across Kansas as part of the ceremonial 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Kansas.

Torch runs are held in Kansas leading up to the annual summer games at Maize South High School in the Wichita area.