Special Olympians join members of the New York State Police, the Franklin County Sheriffs Department, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of Corrections in Saranac Lake for last year's annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the New York State Special Olympics. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

LAKE PLACID — After nearly 25 years, the annual Lake Placid Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the Special Olympics is changing course this year.

From 10 a.m. to noon next Thursday, May 30, local police will carry the torch not from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid, a 9.5-mile run that took about two hours to complete, but around Mirror Lake, a 2.6-mile run within the Lake Placid community.

According to state Trooper Wendy House, who is organizing this year’s event, the route change was made for a number of reasons.

“One is for the safety of the runners,” she said. “In past years, running along the sometimes busy state Route 86 from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid sometimes led to traffic congestion and runners feeling a little vulnerable. This change is also for the safety of the motorists who in the past have had to follow the runners, and were stuck in some of the traffic congestion.

“The area between the Riverside Park (in Saranac Lake) and the railroad tracks heading towards Lake Placid is now very congested, with construction of new buildings along that route underway.”

Beyond the safety concerns, organizers are hoping to encourage more people to sign up to participate by changing the route.

“We have made the route this year a 5K, more of a ‘fun run’ along a scenic route,” House said. “We have also opened the run up to not only include law enforcement but all supporters of Special Olympics alike, runners and non-runners alike, together for a common goal.”

Last year, the fundraiser garnered 40 participants who, along with other torch run participants around the region, raised more than $16,000 for the Special Olympics. This year, about 70 runners have signed up to participate, according to House. At least two Lake Placid police officers have signed up to run, according to the village’s assistant police chief, Chuck Dobson.

“We anticipate more that will sign up on the day of the run,” House said.

All runners are required to purchase a T-shirt, which they are encouraged to wear during the run.

Lake Placid’s leg of the torch run is one portion of a larger statewide effort to raise money for the New York Special Olympics, an event that brings together more than 62,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in 23 Olympic-style sports at 5,900 competitions each year.

In addition to the Lake Placid event, there are also torch runs in the town of Moriah and the city of Plattsburgh. According to the Press-Republican newspaper, last year more than 80 runners raised $2,339 in Moriah, and in Plattsburgh more than 100 participants raised $5,000.

Statewide, more than 6,000 police officers participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run each year. Worldwide, there are more than 97,000 law enforcement members who participate. It’s one of the Special Olympics’ largest fundraisers. According to Special Olympics New York, the event generates more than $2 million in donations each year in this state.

“The flame will complete 56 legs of the Torch Run and return back from the Ceremonial Lighting of the Cauldron to open the Summer Games,” said House.

“We encourage everyone to be out along the route, cheering on our Special Olympians as they run the route. We also welcome people who wish to cheer on and help support the runners, come cheer them on at the finish line, make signs to display for the runners, and encourage any positivity that can be brought to this fantastic event.”