Grandma’s Marathon may have run its course over the last weekend, but on Monday evening, in Two Harbors, sixty to seventy walkers and runners of all ages and from all over the Northland were sweating it out for a worthy cause.
The fifth annual Lake County Law Enforcement Torch Run brings the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Silver Bay Police Department together with the community to raise money for the Special Olympics. During this year’s event, over $1000 was donated. These donations help to fund Special Olympic athletes from everything to their jerseys, food, and travel to get to the games. (Note: Minnesota has won the bid to host the 2026 Special Olympic games to be played in the Twin Cities.)
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, according to the organization’s website, is the “Largest public awareness vehicle and grassroots fundraisers for the Special Olympics.” More than 100,000 law enforcement officers carry the ‘Flame of Hope’ in races around the globe. The popular Polar Plunge is also presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run in January – May at various sites around the state.
It is the best turnout that Micaiah Schubert can remember. He and his wife Olivia, of Two Harbors, ran the race together this year. Micaiah, a Silver Bay Police Officer, has taken part in the fundraising event for three years, but his first time attending he was as spectator. Working with intellectually disabled individuals before going into law enforcement, he brought one of his clients to the race where they cheered on the runners. It is a cause near to his heart and he thanks the community for “supporting a great cause and supporting law enforcement.”
I was told that if there is competition between officers or departments, it was “unofficial.” Unofficial or not, Micaiah has bragging rights as he was the first of the law enforcement officers to cross the finish line (second place in the overall race). I am sure there might be some gentle teasing amongst the ranks leading up to next year’s event.
After building up an appetite, the participants and their families, friends, and fans gathered in Lakeview Park for food, music, and games. Houley and Mo DJ and Karaoke played music and there was a bouncy house for the kiddos.
Clayton Alborn, of the Green Door bar in Beaver Bay, and his friends Dan and Kaylee Cahill Matthews, from the Baptism River Barbecue Company, grilled up hotdogs and hamburgers, donating their talents and locally sourced produce, animals, and hardwoods grown along the Lake Superior’s North shore. Their website, boasts “We are creating a True Northwoods flavor that you can’t get anywhere else.” Clayton said Dan and Kaylee spend a lot of time volunteering in the community. When I snooped around on both the Green Door and Baptism River Barbeque media, I can see Clayton does, too.
He shared with me a story about a Special Olympics athlete from Finland, Minnesota who took gold in the State competition for bowling. At 50 years old, and from such a small community, this was quite a feat and Clayton beams as he talks about him. He is also thrilled with the fundraising event and the turnout. “To see everyone coming out is amazing.”
Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, runners, walkers, cheerleaders, and community for ensuring this event was a success. Your efforts mean the world to the Special Olympics athletes.
To donate or learn more about the international Law Enforcement Torch Run organization, visit letr.org.
Feel free to contact me at sarahwritesnsj@yahoo.com with any news we should news about!
