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Rain, snow and wind don't stop Special Olmpics torch run

The cold, blowing snow and rain had nothing on Joe Hayes' smile this morning as he waved the Special Olympics torch in the air before beginning the Law Enforcement Torch Run to Great Falls. Hayes was excited about running the first bit of the distance of the torch run into the headwind down 1st Street. "It makes me exercise my body," the 10-year veteran of Special Olympics said, adding that his favorite sport is basketball. Last year it was windy but sunny the day of the run, David Bischoff, the leg leader who worked to organize the run, joked. "The weather kind of helps make the challenge, but it also helps make the memory," he said. Seven Border Patrol agents ran along with the more than 10 Special Olympics athletes along 1st Street from Tire- Rama. Drivers making the morning commute honked and waved as the runners made their way down the street. The agents, despite the poor weather, will continue to Great Falls — a more-than-100-mile trek — after the athletes break off from the group. Two Border Patrol pilots based out of Great Falls will meet the team in Loma to help with the last few legs. Other Special Olympics regions are also having torch runs before the state games are set to be held in Bozeman May 12 to 14.

 

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