Latest news with #BeAFan
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Law Enforcement Torch Run stops in Altoona, continues to State College
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — More than 350 runners representing over 40 law enforcement agencies will end the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run in State College on Thursday. It's for the 14th annual Special Olympics Pennsylvania's 'Be A Fan' torch run. Law enforcement, who are the Guardians of the Flame, are bringing the Flame of Hope to Penn State University, where Special Olympics Pennsylvania's Summer Games will take place next month. The Special Olympics Pennsylvania torch started its journey at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. It's a 150-mile trip to Penn State. Central Cambria students 'brighten the 'burg' through cleanup project The runners made a stop at Sheetz Headquarters on 6th Avenue Thursday morning, where Altoona police officers continued the journey. 'Every year we do this for the athletes to promote, to promote them, to promote inclusion, and really to show that law enforcement likes to give back to the community, and really how important the athletes are to us,' Matthew Porter, Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, said. Several agencies from Central PA are participating, including Altoona Police, Blair County Crime Solvers, FBI State College, Ferguson Twp. Police, Patton Twp. Police, State College Police and Tyrone Police. The torch run ends when the Torch arrives at the Lion Shrine on Thursday evening. 'Rain or shine, we'll reach there this afternoon. And when we come into the opening ceremony for Summer games, it really is an amazing thing when you hear the athletes and their enthusiasm and their excitement for the games. It truly is amazing,' Porter said. The Be a Fan Torch Run also serves as a run-in memory of fallen officers from across the state. Over the past nine years, more than $15 million has been raised from Law Enforcement events in support of 15,000 Pennsylvania athletes. Special Olympics Pennsylvania will host the Summer Games at Penn State from June 5-7. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Special Olympics Pennsylvania's torch run returns for 14th year
A long-running tradition returned to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. This is the 14th year for Special Olympics Pennsylvania's "Be A Fan" torch run. Now, the Special Olympics Pennsylvania torch is on its journey away from PNC Park through its three-day, 150-mile trip to Penn State University. Over 350 runners representing nearly 40 law enforcement agencies are Guardians of the Flame on the torch as it's passed off every two and a half to four miles until it reaches State College for the 2025 Pennsylvania Special Olympics Summer Games. The competition officially starts on June 5, but on Tuesday, runners like Pennsylvania State Police's Tabitha Jacoby are accompanied by local Special Olympics program athletes. "They'll say, time and time again, 'We love you guys, you're our heroes,' when really, they're our heroes," said Jacoby. Organizers said this torch run brings the community together like no other event. "If you have a chance to meet one of the athletes, they're always smiling, they're always happy to see you. And the general public can learn a lot from these athletes," said State Law Enforcement Torch Run Director Matt Porter. "We have law enforcement; we have people out on the streets supporting our law enforcement. We have athletes running alongside," said Special Olympics Pennsylvania Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Andrew Fee. Fee added that the games are "highly competitive, good sportsmanship, a lot of fun when you're not on the field." These athletes compete to represent Pennsylvania in the Special Olympics USA Games. Athletes like swimmer Gianfranco Schiaretta said he's ready for this statewide competition, "feeling confident, feeling strong." He said it takes a lot of hard work, and to him, this torch, with the Flame of Hope, represents so much. "Desire, devotion, and discipline is the biggest thing," said Schiaretta. It's a symbol of what our athletes with special abilities accomplish every day.
