Officers Run the Torch for Special Olympics

About 150 public safety officers gathered at the Glen Burnie Town Center Thursday morning as they ran the torch for the Special Olympics Maryland’s summer games.

Anne Arundel County Police Lt. Katie Goodwin, who lives in the Gambrills area, has organized and participated in the run for four years.

“It’s a great cause,” she said as the runners gathered at the intersection of Crain Highway and Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. “And it builds camaraderie for us. We’re supposed to give back to the community and this is one way for us to give back.”

Special Olympian Jordan Mitchell, 12, of Severn participated in the run for his second year, running with about 120 officers. Additional officers participated as volunteers. This is Jordan's fifth year competing in the Special Olympics in track and field events.

“I think it’s important for him to be as involved as possible to let people know that autism shouldn’t be hidden behind a door,” said Jordan’s mother, Yolanda Mitchell, before the run. “Jordan can do anything he puts his mind to.”

Jordan competes in the 100-meter, 200-meter, 4-x-100-meter relay and the javelin throw.

His 4-x-100-meter relay team earned the gold medal last year.

“He is my inspiration, when I think it's rough," said Yolanda Mitchell.

The run began at the Glen Burnie Town Center at around 10 a.m. and  arrived in Severna Park at about 11:15 a.m. They continued to Jones Station to alternate with the next group of officers for the final leg to Jonas Green Park in Annapolis, arriving there  at about 12:30 p.m. The officers ran a total of about 15 miles along Ritchie Highway.

Karen Sank, who works for emergency management in the Public Service Building in Glen Burnie, stood along Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard to cheer for the runners. Her office sits across the street from the Glen Burnie Town Center.

"I couldn't miss it," she said, American flag in hand. "Three of our people are running in it."

Diane Neal of Annapolis was parked in her comfortable, air-conditioned car just before noon on Thursday at the Arnold Station shopping center on Ritchie Highway.

She held her iPad up proudly and said she was waiting to take a photo of her son-in-law, Dan Long, an Anne Arundel County Police officer and her grandson, Mitchell Long, who both participated in the Torch Run for Special Olympics.  The two started their leg of the run at Jones Station Road in Arnold.

"It's a worthwhile, great charity for the police association to support," said Neal.

Officers ran through Pasadena, Severna Park, Arnold and ended their run at the Naval Academy Bridge in Annapolis.

The Torch Run is in its 26th year and the county participated in some form from the beginning, said Betsy Jiron, Torch Run liaison for Special Olympics Maryland. County law enforcement officers have participated in the Torch Run for 25 years, according to a police press release.

The run began in Ocean City on Monday, worked its way through the Eastern Shore and was brought by boat to Annapolis City Dock Wednesday. The final leg of the Torch Run will be Friday when 300 runners, as well as Special Olympics athletes, will take the torch to Towson University for the Opening Ceremony, Jiron said.

The 2011 Summer Special Olympics will be held at Towson University from Friday through Sunday.

Patch Contributor Donna L. Cole added to this report.