NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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York Regional Police is proud to host the 12th annual Race for Plunkett, formerly known as the Rob Plunkett Memorial Torch Run for Special Olympics.
The race, which will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at 6 p.m., is open to all members of the public. Participants can register ahead of time online, or on site the day of the event between 4 and 5:30 p.m., for the five-kilometre or 10-kilometre route along the Tom Taylor Trail in Newmarket.
The starting area for the race is Riverwalk Commons and participants are asked to arrive between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to pick up their torch run T-shirt, race kit and electronic timing chip. Participants will have a chance to meet with local Special Olympic athletes, visit police displays, enjoy music and take commemorative pictures for the #RaceforPlunkett.
At 6 p.m. a short ceremony will take place on the Riverwalk Commons stage before the Law Enforcement Flame of Hope is carried in by Special Olympic athletes. All participants will then be deemed guardians of the flame as the torch is carried 500 metres to the starting line in Fairy Lake Park.
York Regional Police has supported the Law Enforcement Torch Run for more than 30 years. Detective Constable Rob Plunkett, who was killed in the line of duty in August 2007, served as chair of the 2000 Special Olympic Spring Games in York Region and participants in the Race for Plunkett honour his memory and his commitment to Special Olympics.
Law Enforcement Torch Run events raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics movement. Law enforcement officers from more than 30 countries carry the Flame of Hope in honour of Special Olympics athletes worldwide. The Torch Run is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics in the world.
All Race for Plunkett participants support Special Olympics through their registration fee and any personal donations they collect. All money raised goes directly to Special Olympics Ontario. Donations can be made at www.guardiansendurance.com .
For more information on the Race for Plunkett, visit www.guardiansendurance.com.
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