Torch Run - Welcome to the Virginia Torch Run Site

From now until Nov. 30, GEICO will donate $15 to Virginia’s Law Enforcement Torch Run for every person who calls to find out how to save more on their insurance! Customers only need to provide the Torch Run "code" when they call in for a free, no obligation 15-minute rate quote. It’s fast and simple – even existing GEICO customers can call in for a free rate quote on a type of insurance they don’t currently have through GEICO.

One call. 15 minutes. $15 for Special Olympics. It’s that simple.

Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run code: 44521. Click here for a flyer to help promote this to friends and family.

One lap around the Robins Center and two dozen steps up to the Olympic Cauldron to light the Torch. For Russell Chewning of Harrisonburg, this was one of his most glorious moments. While his march around the stadium with the Flame of Hope officially ended the 2008 Summer Games, Russell’s pride in carrying the Torch can not be extinguished – and neither can the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run’s success.

This year, the Flame of Hope traveled more than 1,200 miles around the state, in the hands of more than 3,000 Law Enforcement officers. In Lebanon, 600 middle school students cheered as the officers ran past; in Tidewater, Macy’s employees came out in force for the start of the Southeast portion of the run; and SunTrust employees provided water stops at numerous points along the Torch’s journey.

The Flame was warmly welcomed at the Capitol Friday, June 6, by Governor Tim Kaine and First Lady Anne Holton. And when the Torch arrived at the 2008 Summer Games, thousands of fans, athletes and volunteers filled the Robins Center with cheers and applause.

Thank you to all the Law Enforcement officers for keeping the Flame of Hope burning bright throughout the year for Special Olympics Virginia – and for raising more than $800,000 for the program this year. Just like Russell, you make us proud. For more information about the next statewide Torch Run event, the Plane Pull, visit www.planepull.com.

They are “Guardians of the Flame.” For the past 23 years, they’ve proudly carried the “Flame of Hope,” lighting the way to acceptance for Special Olympics athletes throughout the Commonwealth – and officially “kicking off” the annual Summer Games!

But for the more than 3,000 officers involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, it’s about more than carrying the torch for Special Olympics Virginia. It’s a mission; a serious commitment by the Virginia Law Enforcement community to pay homage to our heroes – the Special Olympics Virginia athletes and their families.

This year, they’ll again kick-off the Torch Run with the lighting of the flame May 22 in Norfolk. For the following 16 days, they’ll run the torch more than 1,200 miles, from every corner of the state. At 2 p.m. June 6, officers from the Metro Richmond area will gather at a special Final Leg ceremony at the state Capitol. From there, they’ll run to the University of Richmond and join the more than 1,500 Summer Games athletes for the Opening Ceremony.

“Volunteer to Cheer” on our amazing Torch Runners at the Capitol on June 6, or at that evening’s Opening Ceremony! Stay tuned for more information on these and other opportunities!

In 2007, the Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $800,000; since 1986, the Torch Run has raised more than $9.8 million for Special Olympics Virginia.

The Hanover County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Virginia Law Enforcement Agencies, will raffle a 2008 Harley-Davidson FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic motorcycle! Tickets are $20 each and only 2500 tickets will be sold. The drawing will be held Sept. 20, 2008, at 5 p.m. at Richmond Harley-Davidson in Glen Allen, Virginia. For more information, click here.

“Bad Boys, Bad Boys, What You Gonna Do? What You Gonna Do When They Come For You?” Raise money for Special Olympics Virginia! Many local law enforcement officers from several Metro Richmond agencies will be doing just that Saturday, May 18, at the Midlothian Wal-Mart, located at 900 Wal-Mart Way, during the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run “Lock-Up” for Special Olympics Virginia. From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the tables will turn on these area officers when they’re “arrested” and sentenced to raise their own bail – in the form of donations to Special Olympics Virginia. All are welcome to come out for the event – and help “bail” out some of Virginia’s finest. For more information on the Lock-Up or the Law Enforcement Torch Run, please contact PR Director Holly Claytor at 804-346-5544 or hclaytor@specialolympicsva.org.

The annual Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference was held in Virginia Beach Nov. 18 and 19. We hope everyone who attended enjoyed the chance to network with other torch runners, as well as learn valuable information to make your torch run efforts more efficient and effective. If you attended the Powers of Partnerships sessions and would like to download the class resources, click here. If you have any questions about what you learned at the conference or any comments, e-mail Debbie Apperson. Also, we are trying to increase participation at the conference so if you have any suggestions of the best time of the year to host the conference we would love to hear that as well. On behalf of everyone at Special Olympics Virginia, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season. We look forward to an exciting 2008 Torch Run year!