Lansing - Law enforcement officers traded in their uniforms for running shorts and T-shirts last week for Special Olympics Michigan.
More than 2,000 law enforcement officers from across Michigan participated in local runs, walks and a week-long relay marathon in the Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run, which took place from Sept. 6 to 12.
As part of the marathon, the runners ran up the steps of the Capitol building at midnight on Thursday. Of the officers participating around the state, 20 ran in the main event - a marathon that covered 700 miles beginning in Copper Harbor at the top of the Upper Peninsula and ending in Sterling Heights, just outside Detroit. Each runner carried a torch and passed it to the next runner every five miles. The process continued for 24 hours a day the entire week.
Norm Killough, an administrative assistant in the Department of Corrections in Lansing, has been taking part in the local run since 1997.
"Oftentimes, we are involved in more seedier or negative portions of the community," she said. "Sometimes, especially working in corrections, we need that reality check that people are doing some good and not all people are involved in negative activities."
About 100 people came to take part in the Lansing-area walk. To participate, people had to be affiliated with law enforcement in some way.
The walk began at 10 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the Capitol and participants ran along the Lansing River Walk to Potter Park, where a small ceremony was held for the athletes.
"Special Olympics is a very special organization that assists people who don't ordinarily have the opportunity to compete," Killough said. "It has been a phenomenal experience for me and everyone who has been involved in it to help out in some way."
Killough said when they call her back every year she gets "re-enthused."
"The torch run gives myself and others in the law enforcement community an opportunity to provide something positive," she said. "Usually, I only deal with people who have been arrested and come to corrections. We need to do some good for ourselves as well as for the Special Olympics."
The run has supported Special Olympics athletes for 20 years and all law officials are welcome to take part in it every year, Killough said. It was founded in Wichita, Kansas, by a police chief who felt strongly about Special Olympics and thought law enforcement needed to have a positive role in the community.
"It really caught on and other states have joined in on the effort," said Tracy Davis, associate director of Special Olympics Michigan. "It is one of the most significant fund-raising events held all year for Special Olympics."
More than $233,000 was raised by last year's Michigan torch run, she said.
Special Olympics Michigan spokeswoman Sharice Clifton said the torch run also helps raise awareness for Special Olympics.
"It's a great way to spread the word about Special Olympics and for people to see the law enforcement officers in a different light," she said. "We have people from the sheriff's department, cadets, police officers. They're from all facets of law enforcement."
