Following a stormy Friday evening in Manhattan, the Riley County Police Department and Special Olympics Kansas athletes hit the ground running Saturday morning.
The 40 year tradition of the torch run lived on as RCPD officers received the “flame of hope” from the Pottawatomie County Sherrif’s Office and carried that torch to Anneberg Park in Manhattan, where they ran one mile with Special Olympic Kansas Athletes. Patrol Officer and President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #17 Rachel Pate explains.
Pate says it’s awesome to see the relationships between the officers and athletes continue to build. She adds that it’s great to go out in the community and be part of something like this.
Special Olympics Sports and Program Manager Krystin Guggisberg says after an 18 month hiatus due to the pandemic, this event was a great way to not only get athletes out and moving again, but also to get them out and interacting with others.
Guggisberg says the torch run is a way to signify the unity between the community and the Special Olympics. She explains how events like this and Polar Plunge support these athletes.
The 2021 Manhattan torch run raised over $2,000 for Special Olympics Kansas, including roughly $1,500 from RCPD officers and a $750 donation from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #17. Athletes enjoyed pancakes, sausage and fruit following Saturday’s run.
All photos were taken by Kelsey Bigelow/KMAN.
