ROCKLAND — Area agencies created a mobile pep rally for Special Olympians on the morning of Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics reversed course this year, running northbound through Rockland, Rockport, and Camden, instead of southbound, as has been done in previous years.

In a two-day Midcoast part of the relay, the “Flame of Hope” left West Bath at 8 a.m., June 4, and arrived in Thomaston on Thursday, rested for the night, and proceeded again at an 8 a.m. start time at the Thomaston/Rockland line. Rockland PD added three police vehicles and an officer on the PD’s new electric bike. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office provided a transport van and driver for any runner who wish changed their mind about hoofing the stretch. Coast Guard personnel opted to experience the event while performing a good gesture. The Fire Department countered the PD’s blue lights with the FD’s reds. And, City Councilor Penny York and a couple members of the District Attorney’s Office rounded out the group. 

Several Rockland police officers had planned to run, but were called away at the last minute to assist with a search warrant in a neighboring jurisdiction, according to Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor, who rode the electric bike.

Comfortably mixing with the Rockland contingent, Wiscasset Chief Larry Hesseltine and his cruiser added extra variety into an already varied field. 

All for the sake of Justin, 37; Vaugh, 23; Josiah, 35; and their peers. Over the course of the two-day Special Olympics, in Orono, Vaughn plans to participate in the Standing Long Jump, 400 meter run, Shot Put. Josiah, 35, will attempt the Softball Throw and a couple of sprints. Justin aims for the 50 meter dash, the 200, the relay, and softball.

On Camden Street (Route 1), employees with Maine State Credit Union knew that the contingent of runners would be passing by. The bank happened to have balloons left over from a party. When the heard sirens, the employees able to break away grabbed balloons and stationed themselves across from one of the three mile markers that they’d sponsored for this event. Despite an obstructed view, they raised their balloons high, their voices loud, and their smiles wide. MSCU also donated $200 to this year’s Tip-A-Cop, held May 22.

At the other Route 1 town line transition point, most runners stopped at the entrance to Ocean State Job Lots, where a fresh runner, Rockport Police Officer Tony DelVeccio, set pace with Justin into Rockport. Kristiansen aimed to run the 10 miles to French and Brawn. Vehicles riding with them as temperatures climbed into the high 70s represented Northeast Mobile Health System, the Wiscasset PD, the KCSO transport van, and the leader of the fourth leg, Troy Peasley, of the Rockland Police Dept. Peasley joined the relay on Thursday and helped escort the torch to Belfast on June 5.

From Camden, the torch was driven to Wentworth’s Family Market in Northport, where Waldo County Deputies and Belfast PD members ran the torch to the Belfast PD. 

The torch will arrive in Orono on Friday, June 7, around 4 p.m., where it will light the cauldron and officially start the 2024 Special Olympics Maine Summer Games.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com