Ride & Run benefit Special Olympics Colorado, May 24 Events

Flame of Hope

Join LE For 5K Run & Motorcycle Ride

Mesa County, Colo. -- This is a very busy time of year for community events in Mesa County that also involve your local law enforcement agencies. One that has a long history in our community is the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which raises money and awareness for Special Olympics Colorado.

The name LETR is somewhat of a misnomer, because we do much more than running.  In fact, we are hoping you will join us on May 24 as we run, walk, and ride with the Special Olympics torch in the name of our fantastic local athletes. Here’s a quick video of what those events looked like last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxYD2ersy2o

Deputy Williams, 2013

There are two separate events that day, and we encourage you to participate in any way you can.  The first is the Mesa County LETR Torch Run/Walk 5K. This fun event takes of from the Botanical Gardens at 10 a.m. (registration starts the day of  the event at 8:30 a.m.). The cost is $30 and all participants receive a T-shirt.  Contact Deputy Chad Williams for more information at 970-986-1187.  Download the flyer here.

Later that day is the annual Flame of Hope motorcycle escort, where Western Slope motorcycle riders meet Front Range riders in Glenwood Springs to escort the Special Olympics torch to Grand Junction. This is in preparation for the Special Olympics Summer Games that take place here in Grand Junction at the end of the month. Western Slope riders will gather at the Aspen Valley Harley Davidson store in Glenwood Springs to receive the torch, and depart for Grand Junction at 2 p.m.

Motorcycle ride, 2013

The ride ends at the Grand Junction Harley Davidson store, where participants will be treated to a BBQ dinner and a chance to win prizes totaling $900. Riders will also receive T-shirts. The cost of this event is $30 per rider and $20 for each passenger.  Register online in advance at http://soco.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1107311. For more information contact Capt. Don Hendricks at 970-244-3907. Download the flyer here.

These events truly are fun for those who participate, both for law enforcement and the community in general. The athletes we support have a way of finding a special spot in your heart. We hope to see you on May 24.

**This information was written and provided by our law enforcement partner, the Grand Junction Police Department.**