Special Olympics Flame of Hope kicks off 2022 Torch Run Relay at Ocracoke Beach May 6

On Friday, May 6 at 10 a.m., Leg #1 of the 2022 Torch Run Relay will begin at Ocracoke Beach and will travel on Highway 12 to the U.S. National Park Service public boat launch, where the Flame of Hope will be transported across the Pamlico Sound by N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission (NCWRC) patrol boats to the NCWRC boat access in Swan Quarter, North Carolina. Officers will run the Flame of Hope from the boat access to the Hyde County Courthouse and back to the boat access.

The Flame of Hope will begin traveling across North Carolina in the first leg of the 2022 Torch Run Relay at Ocracoke Beach. The Flame of Hope will travel across the state from six different points throughout May, as part of the largest awareness campaign for the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics North Carolina (NC LETR).

All legs of the Torch Run Relay will converge on Raleigh, June 3, with the Final Leg of the relay taking place that evening. Law enforcement officers will run the Flame of Hope from Carter-Finley Stadium on to the 2022 Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) Summer Games Opening Ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum on North Carolina State University’s campus. Officers will form a Circle of Honor and then light the cauldron during the Opening Ceremony to officially open the Games.

Relay Starting Location:
Ocracoke Beach

Ocracoke, North Carolina 27885

Relay Ending Location:
Swan Quarter Boat Landing
278 Oyster Creek Road
Swan Quarter, North Carolina 27885

Parking: Spectators at the starting location should access public parking surrounding the Ocracoke Island Visitor Center. Spectators at the ending location should access parking at the Swan Quarter Boat Landing.

A complete list of Torch Run Relay legs, contacts and schedules surrounding each leg can be found at https://sonc.net/torch-run/torch-run-relay/. For media inquiries, contact SONC Vice President of Development for NC LETR at lmoyar@sonc.net or (919)-210-0966.

As additional legs and details are being updated, please check the website for details on a Torch Run relay leg in your community.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an international fundraising event for Special Olympics. North Carolina law enforcement officers’ 2022 goal is to raise $1.5 million for Special Olympics North Carolina through special events, individual and corporate donations and donations for T-shirts.

The 2022 SONC Summer Games will be held June 3 – June 5 in the Triangle area and will include nearly 900 athletes from across the state. Athletes will compete in athletics, basketball, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, swimming and volleyball.

Official 2022 sponsors of NC LETR include: Championship Level: Sheetz, IDEAs that Work, Credit Suisse Americas Foundation, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Jersey Mike’s Subs, NC Knights of Columbus and Publix; Gold Level: Civitan International and Dunkin’ Donuts; Crossroads Ford of Apex, Mark Jacobson Toyota, AAA Carolinas, DMJ and Prudential; Bronze Level: Durham Exchange Club Industries Inc. (DECI), Bob Barker, Live Oak Bank and Relias.