After kicking off last Friday (15 November 2013) in Whangärei, the New Zealand Law Enforcement Torch Run is currently blazing its way through the central North Island.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international movement that seeks to support and promote Special Olympics around the world. Introduced to New Zealand in 2009, the Run is a programme managed by law enforcement personnel aimed at raising awareness in the community about the positive work done by Special Olympics in assisting people with an intellectual disability through sport.
Local athletes and New Zealand Police staff are running each of the legs in their community to raise awareness. The run will make its way down to Invercargill before journeying to Dunedin where the final contingent of athletes and Police staff will be met by the Mayor of Dunedin on Tuesday 26 November.
Central District Prevention Manager, Inspector Mark Harrison coordinated the 2013 run and has been heavily involved in coordinating activities for the Special Olympics for the past three years.
"The run will make its way to New Plymouth this morning and then down to Whanganui this afternoon. It's a fantastic initiative to be part of and its great to see the community cheer us on as we make our way down the length of the country," says Inspector Harrison.
The three stages of the journey are segmented into the upper and middle of the North Island, and the South Island.
So far the torch has made its way through North Shore, Auckland Town Hall, Counties Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Rotorua.
The routes are approximately 2-3 kilometres in length and take in major pedestrian routes and main streets through towns allowing great opportunities for everyone to see the Torch.
For more information on the Law Enforcement Torch Run please check out the LETR page on the Special Olympics website.
You can follow the run progress via the Law Enforcement Torch Run NZ Facebook page.
Current schedule below:
Date:
Torch Run times:
Where run will occur:
Thursday 21st November
10am – 11am
New Plymouth
Thursday 21st November
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Whanganui
Friday 22nd November
10am – 11am
Palmerston North
Friday 22nd November
3pm – 4pm
Napier
Saturday 23rd November
1pm – 3pm
Wellington/Parliament
Sunday 24th November
1pm – 2pm
Nelson
Monday 25th November
10am – 12noon
Christchurch
Tuesday 26th November
10am – 11am
Invercargill
Tuesday 26th November
5pm – 5:30pm
Dunedin – arrival to Octagon
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.