A group of law enforcement personnel ran through Dutchess and Ulster counties carrying the torch for the New York Special Olympics. This is the 36th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The runners on Friday began with a police motorcycle escort, at the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, traveling south past Marist College, befo

A group of law enforcement personnel ran through Dutchess and Ulster counties carrying the torch for the New York Special Olympics. This is the 36th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The runners on Friday began with a police motorcycle escort, at the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, traveling south past Marist College, before heading to the Parker Avenue Pavilion at the Walkway Over the Hudson.

re heading to the Parker Avenue Pavilion at the Walkway Over the Hudson.

The group was greeted by the Hudson Valley Director of Special Olympics New York, Teresa Gilli, several elected officials, and community groups and members.

Gilli said, “Members of law enforcement act as the ‘Guardians of the Flame of Hope’ which is the torch, and our law enforcement partners do an incredible job of protecting the flame.”   

This year more than 60 runners associated with law enforcement raised money to support the Special Olympics and participate in the 8.5 mile run. 

Gilli’s biggest fundraiser in the Hudson Valley is the “Polar Plunge” and there are three plunges coming up; October 26 at Wilcox Park, November 9 in Orange County, and then when it gets really cold, the biggest event will take place in early 2025 – the Fishkill Polar Plunge. 

After a few photos, more runners joined the group, the largest in recent years, and continued west, heading over the Walkway before returning to Poughkeepsie over the Mid-Hudson Bridge for a celebratory lunch at Mahoney’s.