BRUNSWICK —The Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting the Maine Special Olympics  is headed toward Freeport and Brunswick Wednesday and all the way to Richmond Thursday.

Starting with the first leg from Berwick to Kittery today, more than 600 members of Maine’s law enforcement agencies will participate in the run across the state carrying the “Flame of Hope” to raise funds for and awareness of the Maine Special Olympics. The run is scheduled to conclude at the University of Maine in Orono Friday in time for the parade and opening ceremonies of the Maine Special Olympic summer games.

Wednesday, Torch Runners are expected to arrive at the Freeport Public Safety Building at around 5 p.m. when local Special Olympians will participate in a small walking parade from there to Derosier’s at 120 Main St. There, athletes will share in some treats with the officers.

Freeport officers will then continue the 7.2-mile run run, delivering the torch to Brunswick officers at the Brunswick town line on Route 1 by C & R Trading Post, for a total of 7.2 miles. Brunswick officers will run the torch 6 miles from the Freeport town line to the Brunswick police station.

The next leg of the run will start at around 7 a.m. Thursday at the Brunswick police station on Federal Street and travel to the Topsham Police Department located at 100 Main. St. There, Brunswick runners will meet up with Topsham officers and Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s deputies who will then bicycle up Route 201, carrying the torch through Bowdoinham and Richmond to Pat’s Store at the intersection of Route 201 and Route 197, with a police escort.

Brunswick police officer Tom Stanton volunteers with and coordinates local fundraising for the Maine Special Olympics. Brunswick Police Department, with 10 officers running, has asked local businesses to consider sponsoring officers running in the Torch Run and welcomes additional support. Individuals who want to sponsor a runner can call the police station, 725-6620 and leave a message for Stanton, or drop off a check made out to Special Olympics Maine in sponsorship of the officers running collectively, at the police station at 28 Federal St.

Special Olympics is one of the only causes Maine law enforcement agencies fundraise for, Stanton said, because all money raised goes right to the Maine Special Olympics and the events it puts on. And all money raised in Maine stays in Maine. Stanton will be attending and participating in the opening ceremonies in Orono Friday and volunteering during events  Saturday.

Maine Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, “giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community,” the organization’s website states. For more information about the Maine Special Olympics, visit www.somaine.org.

The Torch Run began in 1981 in Wichita, Kansas, started by Police Chief Richard LaMunyon, who knew there was an urgent need for funds for Special Olympics and also wanted to get his officers involved in the community.

“After three years of very successful runs, LaMunyon took his idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police and received enthusiastic support,” an event release states. “To this day the run in sponsored by the IACP. In 1984 the Torch Run was brought to Maine by then Chief Robert Bell. Today the run is held in all 50 states and over 100 countries.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com