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Torch Run kicks off Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games

Rehoboth Beach seasonal police Officer Marie Fuller leads the Torch Run away from the Rehoboth Bandstand on a one-mile trek to Grove Park. She’s joined by Special Olympics Delaware athletes (l-r) Chris Truono of the Wilmington Wizards, Abby Galiardo of the Newark Dragons, Alyssa Unruh of the MOT Tigers, Chaz Moore of the Kent Wildcats and Deshawn Scye of the Sussex Riptide. NICK ROTH PHOTOS
Nick Roth
June 23, 2022

More than 500 law enforcement officers participated in the 36th annual Torch Run for Special Olympics June 22-24. 

Since its inception, the event has raised more than $9.25 million to support Special Olympics Delaware’s year-round program of quality sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and/or cognitive delays. A family of more than 5,000 volunteers makes the program possible for the more than 4,200 athletes who compete in Special Olympics Delaware. The organization builds sports skills, confidence, strength, motivation and self-esteem, not just for the athletes, but for everyone involved.

The downstate portion of the run began June 22 in Fenwick Island. Runners escorted the torch north for a brief ceremony at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand. Delaware State Police Superintendent Col. Melissa Zebley ran the torch to the Bandstand before handing it over to Rehoboth Beach seasonal police Officer Marie Fuller. Fuller then led the contingent of runners west along Rehoboth Avenue to Grove Park. The Torch Run continued downstate June 23, as runners simultaneously departed from Delmar and Georgetown. Converging in Harrington, runners proceeded together to Dover for a ceremony on Legislative Mall. 

The final leg of the three-day event will see the torch delivered to the University of Delaware football stadium in Newark for the official opening of the 2022 Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games ceremony at 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 24. 

For more information about the Summer Games, go to sode.org/sports-competitions/summer-games. For details about the Torch Run, go to sode.org/fundraisers/law-enforcement-torch-run.

Rehoboth Beach seasonal police Officer Marie Fuller holds the torch during a brief ceremony at the Rehoboth Bandstand.
The Delaware State Police Motorcycle Unit leads Torch Run participants to the Rehoboth Bandstand.
Col. Melissa Zebley, Delaware State Police superintendent, ran the Torch Run leg to the Rehoboth Bandstand before handing the torch over to Rehoboth Beach seasonal police Officer Marie Fuller.
Col. Melissa Zebley, Delaware State Police superintendent, leads a contingent of runners to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.
Delaware State Police Superintendent Col. Melissa Zebley said it’s an honor and a privilege to serve and support Special Olympians throughout the state.
Deshawn Scye of the Sussex Riptide team is excited when introduced to the crowd. Chaz Moore of the Kent Wildcats stands at his right.
Rehoboth Beach seasonal police Officer Marie Fuller keeps an eye on the torch as she takes the first few steps toward Grove Park.
Rehoboth Beach Police Lt. William Sullivan, right, is called onto the Bandstand stage by emcee Brian K. Hall of 103.9 and 102.9 The Vault to model the 2022 Special Olympics Torch Run T-shirt.
Greg Wood of 33 1/3 pulls double duty playing the drums and singing vocals. The band entertained before and after the Torch Run ceremony.

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Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams. 

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