JILL SCHRAMM/MDN A Minot Police patrol vehicle leads runners on 31st Avenue Southwest in Minot as they participate to raise awareness and support for Special Olympics North Dakota. The first few runners set the pace for others following behind.

Law enforcement officers, Special Olympic athletes and others ran through southwest Minot Tuesday, May 12, to raise money to support events such as the North Dakota Special Olympics Summer Games in Fargo this weekend.

This year’s annual event began outside SCHEELS at Dakota Square and ended with a complimentary meal at Buffalo Wild Wings on South Broadway. About 15 runners took part in running all or a portion of the approximately 3 miles.

“I love the opportunity to connect with the community. I help out a lot with the Special Olympics and their events,” said Minot Police Officer Cullen Hall, who led the run in his patrol car. “Being able to connect with them, support their mission in our function as law enforcement, it’s a meaningful part of the job that not a lot of people are aware of. Working with these athletes, they love law enforcement and having that positive interaction just means the world to me.”

Conducted this year from May 12-15 in five North Dakota cities, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics North Dakota is the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness campaign benefiting Special Olympics athletes, according to the organization. Minot’s event was the first, with others scheduled this Thursday or Friday in Bismarck, Grand Forks, Jamestown and Fargo.

More than 1,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities train and compete in 11 sports statewide each year, experiencing the life-changing impact of athletic competition, according to Special Olympics North Dakota.

“Every athlete that participates in Special Olympics gets to do it free of charge. So, any fundraising that we do goes to support those athletes so they can participate in the different sports that they all love,” said Renee Dufner, area director in Minot for Special Olympics.

Nearly 500 athletes are expected this weekend in Fargo, with about 40 participants from Minot attending to compete in swimming, power lifting and track and field.