Special Olympics athletes, Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and other South Florida law enforcement officers, again will join forces to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Florida at the 43rd Annual Broward Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The annual event gives law enforcement personnel a unique opportunity to bond with Special Olympian athletes and help raise awareness, funds, and support for Special Olympics Florida’s mission—to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for people with intellectual disabilities.

The torch run will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, beginning at 1100 Seabreeze Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale and ending at 4703 N. Ocean Drive, Sea Ranch Lakes (Sea Ranch Center). A celebratory picnic will occur following the completion of the run at the Sea Ranch Center.

Each year, Special Olympics Florida selects a Special Olympics athlete to light the flame that will commence the run and carry the Olympic torch. This year, Sergio Cano will have that honor. Cano is a Special Olympics athlete from Broward County who competes in track and field, swimming, and triathlons.

Cano serves as both the vice chair of the Athlete Leadership in Broward County and the vice chair of the Regional Athlete Leadership Council. In addition to competing in these numerous sports, Cano was also chosen to compete in an international triathlon event in Slovakia and is one of the Special Olympics top runners in the county. The men and women of BSO congratulate Cano on his selection.

The Broward Law Enforcement Torch Run is part of a 1,400-mile statewide relay that culminates at the opening ceremonies of the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. Anyone interested in making a charitable donation is asked to contact Ms. Michelle Leonardo at Special Olympics Broward at (954) 262-2150. For additional information concerning the run, please call Broward County Torch Run Coordinator, BSO Captain Stephanie Jacobi, at (954) 938-0650.

MEDIA NOTE: THIS IS AN APPROXIMATE TIME SCHEDULE TO ASSIST YOU IN COVERING THE EVENT. THE SCHEDULE SHOULD ALSO SERVE AS A TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR MOTORISTS.

TIMELINE:

9:00 a.m.- 1100 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale (1st leg is 1.9 miles)

9:25 a.m. - A1A Sunrise Blvd. (2nd leg is 2.1 miles)

10:00 a.m. - A1A & Oakland Park Blvd. (3rd leg is 1.8 miles)

10:35 a.m. - A1A & Commercial Blvd. (4th leg is 0.7 miles)

10:50 a.m. - 4703 N. Ocean Drive, Sea Ranch Lakes (Sea Ranch Centre) (End of Run)