Search
Close this search box.

Law enforcement to run with Special Olympics torch in Okaloosa County on March 12

Officers will carry the torch through north and south county routes, beginning in Crestview and ending at Fort Walton Beach's Landing Park.
Source: Okaloosa County

Corrections officers and other law enforcement agencies in Okaloosa County will participate in this year’s Torch Run for Special Olympics Florida on March 12.

  • The event features two separate routes through the county.

The north county leg begins at 9 a.m. at the Publix at Northcrest, located at 1355 North Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview. Participants should gather at 8 a.m. to sign waivers before the run. The route will travel down Industrial Boulevard and continue south for 1.5 miles to Stillwell Boulevard, then turn left on Stillwell Boulevard and finish at the Crestview Police Department parking lot.

For the south county leg, participants will gather at 11 a.m. at the Publix located at 610 Eglin Parkway NE at the corner of Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach. This portion of the run will begin at approximately 11:15 a.m., proceeding south on Eglin Parkway, and will conclude at the City of Fort Walton Beach Brooks Landing City Park at noon.

  • Lunch and bottled water will be provided at the park for participants in the south county run.

The Okaloosa event is part of a larger statewide effort involving over 300 Florida agencies, including police departments, sheriff’s offices, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs, Air Force Police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Each year, more than 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay through all 67 Florida counties. The intrastate torch relay will start at the end of March and culminate at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics Florida State Games, where officers from around the state bring the Flame of Hope into the stadium.

  • Funding comes through contributions from individuals and businesses along the route and through sales of Torch Run T-shirts and caps.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“This is so impressive - congratulations on such a successful and growing program”
Respond
“I spent a week on the Pilot diving. I loved the trip but was traveling solo so had no dive partner. I was not a real experienced diver either. One...”
Respond
“Bless you, your sons, and all involved in honoring your husband. The perfect example of unconditional love. Your care and efforts in helping others will not be forgotten. Wishing you...”
Respond
“Thank you for the wonderful article and exposure for our efforts helping local cancer patients know they are not alone!”
Respond
““… the caliber of vacationers “ You live somewhere that others find desirable and it has been discovered. Get over it.”
Respond
“Bitter are you .what matters is it's saved to be a part of history for thr Fort Walton Beach family's and tourist.i don't care who built it .it's up and...”
Respond
“I came to Destin in 1988 and I was so happy to have made the decision to raise my children here. But to be honest, ever since Peter Boss started...”
Respond
“It was an AMAZING show from our community, and we are so grateful to Dr Dugan and the rest of the guidance department for securing such a worthwhile event for...”
Respond
“this was not a easy task as i'm am one of troop 544 but it warms my heart that he was there in his warm hug from a trusted adult.”
Respond
“You wanted more stores, more people and you allow golf carts to move about freely, then you complain because you have created a nightmare. UNBELIEVABLE.”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.