Saugeen Shores Special Olympics and local Police got the first leg of the Law Enforcement run off to an early start on Thursday, June 13th in Port Elgin.
Saugeen Shores organizer, Constable John Martin, thanked everyone for attending the event. “We shortened the run by one kilometre this year, so that no-one should get tired and we thank everyone for coming out this year … this is great!”
Police from the OPP, West Grey, Hanover and Owen Sound joined the run along with cycle officers. The run began in the parking lot across the street from Tim Hortons on Gustavus Street where everyone enjoyed the complementary coffee and muffins provided by Tim Hortons before heading out at 7:45 a.m. along Goderich Street (Hwy. 21) south to Boston Pizza.
At Boston Pizza, the athletes boarded a bus and set off for Hanover, their next stop of the five participating communities in Grey-Bruce that also included Chatsworth, Durham and ending in Owen Sound.
Saugeen Shores Special Olympic coach Cheryl Smethurst said that the local group had raised approximately $1,500. “This is not particularly about the funds but instead to create awareness for the athletes.”
Derek Spence, Law Enforcement Torch run Manager for Special Olympics Ontario, said he had recently covered the Toronto run but likes the variety of the smaller communities.
