The Law Enforcement Torch Run made its annual trip through the area on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
The event is about raising awareness for Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run which happens every year mostly during May and June.
Derek Spence who is the Law Enforcement Torch Run liaison said there approximately 40 Torch Runs held every year throughout Ontario.
“Every community celebrates it in a different way. Cobourg and Port Hope are amazing. They join forces and do this every year.”
Spence said law enforcement members have a “unique relationship” with the athletes.
“The Law Enforcement Torch Run has been going on for close to 40-years in Ontario and last year alone we raised $2.5 million that went directly to Special Olympics programming, uniforms, field rentals and everything you could think of that allows Special Olympics to function.”
The law enforcement members from Port Hope and Cobourg started out at the Port Hope Police Station at 11 a.m. with a number of vehicles including the Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services.
Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf and Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson rode their bicycle along the journey while other officers carried the Law Enforcement Torch Run flags and collected donations.
The first leg of the run ended at Giant Tiger in Port Hope and picked up again at Giant Tiger in Cobourg where runners and athletes were treated to food and energy drinks from Giant Tiger.
After another group photo of runners, Special Olympians, and members of the Cobourg Fire Department headed out along Elgin and William Streets before going through downtown with a number of people shouting encouragement from the sidewalk.
For the final portion of the journey runners were joined by members of Community Living and Respite Northumberland.
Spence said every Torch Run he attends is very special.
“It’s all done in different ways. Big cities, small towns, but you see the exact same connection. You see that special bond that the law enforcement has with the athletes.
The athletes look up to the law enforcement members, but really, the athletes are the heroes. They are the ones that inspire the law enforcement members. They give them a great break from the pressures involved in law enforcement and then they get to be around these incredible athletes.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
