Photos: Carroll County Torch Run for Special Olympics

Law enforcement officials and local Special Olympics athletes came from around the county Wednesday for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Relay for Special Olympics Maryland. 

The local portion of the Torch Run Relay is part of a much larger effort.  Statewide, the Maryland Torch Run Relay consists of four different legs – Eastern, Western, Central and Southern. Throughout the week, thousands of Torch Run volunteers will cover hundreds of miles, eventually converging on Towson where the individual flames will be united in the Final Leg Ceremony. Then officers from around the state will travel the final 2.5 miles to the Opening Ceremony at Towson University. 

It is there that the Flame is handed off to the Special Olympics athletes who have the honor of taking the final lap with the torch and then lighting the cauldron and officially declaring the 2012 SOMD Summer Games open. 

The 43rd Anniversary SOMD Summer Games are set for June 7 to 9 at Towson University.  During the weekend, 1,400 athletes from around the state will go for gold in aquatics, athletics, bocce, cheerleading and softball.

For more information about Special Olympics Maryland, the Torch Run Relay and the 2013 Summer Games, contact Jason Schriml at 410-242-1515 x118 or visit www.somd.org.