Special Olympics torch run to start Monday

The ceremonial lighting of the torch for Montana Special Olympics will be held at 8 a.m. Monday at the Havre Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, and local officials hope local residents will be on hand to celebrate.

“We are inviting people to show up and cheer on the runners,” said spokeswoman Mandy Hansen.

Police officers from throughout the Hi-Line will carry the lighted torch down Highway 87 to Great Falls, she said.

She said the ceremony is always touching. Local Special Olympians always feel a kinship to law enforcement officials because they play such an important part in helping out with the ceremonies.

She said it would be nice if people in Box Elder and Big Sandy could come out and cheer on the officers.

A Border Patrol officer will start off the run and will be relieved along the way by other Border Patrol officers, Hill County sheriff’s deputies and Havre police officers.

After arriving in Great Falls, the torch will eventually be carried to Bozeman where Montana’s Summer Special Olympics will be held, she said. A host of Havre area Special Olympians will take part, she said.

By showing up for the torch-lighting ceremony, people will be paying tribute to the athletes, she said, and to the officers and firefighters who volunteer so much of their time for Special Olympics.