Cheering on the 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run

The 2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics successfully made it from Grand Portage to Grand Marais on Monday, June 17. A cheering crowd greeted runners as they came through Grand Marais. 
 

The community came together for the third year to participate in the Flame of Hope Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics on both Monday and Tuesday, June 17-18. The "Flame of Hope" torch set off from the Canadian border on June 17 after a brief ceremony at 1 p.m. 
 

The torch was then carried down Highway 61 by runners--up the challenging Mount Josephine stretch and into Grand Portage. It was transported for a bit by vehicle and then runners again took the torch to run it into Grand Marais. Bringing the torch into Grand Marais with a law enforcement escort were Cook County students Claire LaVigne and Ellen Callender, McKone Corkery of Minnesota Special Olympics, and Maple Hill firefighter Stephanie Radloff. 
 

After a short gathering for photos and quick speeches, Jeanne Monson of the Cook County Probation Office, carried the Flame of Hope out of Grand Marais. The torch went as far as Tofte on Monday and on Tuesday, June 18, it was carried to the Cook/Lake county line to be handed off to that county’s law enforcement team. 
 

In all, sixteen law enforcement officials from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources carried the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” from the Canadian border to the Cook/Lake County line. 
 

Also taking part in the event was the Cook County Schools Special Olympics Unified Club. The Cook County Unified Club met the torchbearers at the corner by World’s Best Donuts and joined the “run” through town to Compass Park. 
 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence attended the welcome event in Grand Marais. Here is her report. 

Click the slideshow to see more photos of the event!