Altoona Police Sgt. Matthew Plummer, however, carried the torch 150 miles, beginning at the start point at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tuesday before wrapping up the run at State College on Thursday afternoon.

Having a family member diagnosed with Down syndrome, he spread awareness by collaborating with Western Pennsylvania police officers to facilitate the event.

“When you’re running for a cause like this, I don’t really get tired,” Plummer said while standing in the rain at the Sheetz along 58th Street.

Altoona police Det. Eric Heuston (from left) shares a laugh with Carson Frank, Special Olympics track athlete, and his mother, Laura Frank, before running through the city. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

The Law Enforcement Torch Run turned 15 years old this year, as it was created to spread awareness about the upcoming summer Special Olympics scheduled for June 4-6 at Penn State

University.

According to Pierre DeFelice, deputy state torch run director, the race is broken into 53 legs of about two to four miles, depending on handoff locations.

He said this run is their largest awareness event, as law enforcement officers connect the Special Olympics with the community while the community connects with law enforcement.

“Part of bringing awareness to Special Olympics is showing the resources that are available for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, to connect them, to help them grow and prosper and be successful,” he said.

Altoona Police officers and Special Olympians run past the Knickerbocker along Sixth Avenue as part of the Altoona leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on Thursday morning. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

More than 300 officers from 40 different Pennsylvania agencies participated in the three-day event, according to Eric Cushing, Special Olympics Pennsylvania vice president of strategic partnerships.

He said the Special Olympics is a community-based program that opens its arms to many different demographics.

Looking at the torch, he said, “this brings everyone together, the Flame of Hope is a symbol of inclusion. It’s a symbol of overcoming adversity.”

“It represents them, and us, and the hope that they bring us with their incredible courage, incredible skills, incredible passion for life and overcoming whatever hurdles,” he said.

About five Special Olympic athletes ran alongside officers Thursday morning, including track athlete Carson Frank, 21, who took part in the run to the Greenwood Sheetz.

Local law enforcement officers carry the torch during the Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday in Altoona. Altoona Police Sgt. Matthew Plummer carried the torch 150 miles, beginning at the start point at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tuesday before wrapping up the run at State College on Thursday afternoon. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Frank said he was going to try his best during the run, as the event gets everyone excited for the summer games.

Being a former Altoona Area High School student, many of his teachers and classmates crowded outside to cheer him and his teammates on as they ran past the school.

Altoona resident and Special Olympic swimming athlete Shayne Rossman said it was awesome to run by the high school students who cheered for them. Thursday morning was his fourth time participating in the run, he said.

“It’s good to get involved,” he said, noting he was running to support the county and his friends and family. “It’s a good thing.”

Likewise, teammate Jason Miller enjoyed running to the Greenwood Sheetz as he’s participated in the event for the past four years and ran track for the Special Olympics. This summer, he’s coaching the team.

Despite not being a fan of running in the rain, he said, “It’s a lot of fun. I got to be with all my friends.”

On the other hand, Kayla Parks, a corrections officer at the State Correctional Institute in Huntingdon, said she prefers to run in the rain and enjoys low temperatures.

She started her run at the Duncansville exit and stopped at the Sheetz at 58th Street before passing off the torch to Altoona officers and Special Olympic athletes.

She is no stranger to participating in Special Olympic charity events, having previously participated in the polar plunge and other local programs.

“I just think it’s great to make the people of the Special Olympics feel important, and they get to do the things that we can do, and I just think it’s cool,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.