Peter Goudal (right) and his son Isaac (left) holding the Flame of Hope during the Law Enforcement Torch Run

By Tommy Osborne

Torch Run

Law Enforcement Torch Run brings plenty of smiles, community connection

Jul 9, 2025 | 5:45 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run took place today, but this year’s Torch Run was bigger and better than ever. That’s thanks to the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games, which will bring 1200 athletes from all across the province this week, beginning with the Opening Ceremonies on July 10 before the games themselves get underway on July 11.

This year’s run was a relay style event going from the RCMP Detachment to the CN Centre, and the spectacle of the event was certainly enjoyed by the athletes.

“Any time I can just wave to the crowd a bit, share some smiles, share some laughter, is a good day,” said Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador Adam Spokes.

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“The Torch Run was so much fun because we got to use the Cougars bus, and everybody was like ‘wow!'” added fellow Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador Marinka Van Hage.

“It is spectacular, as always. I attend every year and we did a little bit differently, but it was so great,” said Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador Chase Caron.

Normally, the torch run is a smaller event where RCMP Officers and Special Olympics athletes run together at their own pace, on a smaller circuit. However, this relay run took around two hours and had the officers and athletes go through some of Prince George’s most prominent locations and streets, and along the way there was plenty of community support and residents cheering them on.

“We had people lining the route, we had people at all of our stops, people that were passing us honked their horns. I think that was really uplifting for the athletes, to have kind of that accolade as they went through Prince George,” said Corporal Jennifer Cooper, an RCMP Officer and Co-organizer of the Torch Run.

“It just really shows what the community is and and how great it is, especially in Prince George,” Caron said.

At the front of the relay was the iconic Flame of Hope, which was proudly and prominently displayed by many of the athletes and officers alike during the relay.

“That was the best part about it (the run) to tell the truth. Usually we just do a run or a walk or jog or a bike, but it’s nice to have that visual of passing the torch,” Spokes said.

The excitement could not have been more clear as the athletes finally made it to the CN Centre, with plenty of smiles, sirens, supporters, and the athletes who are ready to show off the results of years of practicing right here in their own city.

“This is so special for our athletes to be able to compete in their home city and kind of have that hometown pride to get to show off what they do here in Prince George. And it’s nice for everybody to be able to experience what the Special Olympics are and what it means to the athletes,” Cooper said.

“That just ramps it up a little bit more. It’s about hometown pride, we want to invite them, and yet we still want to beat them,” Spokes added.

The officers involved also enjoyed running alongside the athletes and having the chance to engage with the community in a fun, lighthearted, way.

“We often have to have such a tough exterior, and that’s what’s required of us, we understand that’s part of the job, so it’s nice to be able to kind of loosen that up a little bit and have fun in such a meaningful, positive way that we don’t experience in our jobs day to day” Cooper said.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the CN Centre on July 10.

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