Laguna, Newport police and firefighters to carry Special Olympics torch

Newport Beach police officers and firefighters will carry the Special Olympics torch through Corona del Mar on Thursday, an annual tradition that involves more than 85,000 law enforcement officers from across 35 nations.

The torch run’s goal is to raise awareness and funding for the Special Olympics, according to a Newport Beach Police Department news release. Officers collected donations in order to participate, and all the money they raised fund program support and development as well as expenses for athletes participating in local, regional, state and international competitions, workshops and conferences.

The torch will be carried by Laguna Beach police officers along Pacific Coast Highway. At Newport Coast Drive, the Laguna officers will hand it off to runners from Newport Beach police and fire departments. They will run with it through Corona del Mar and along East Coast Highway to Dover Drive, eventually passing it to Costa Mesa police representatives.

The torch likely will be in Corona del Mar about 10:20 a.m.

In California, 3,500 officers are expected to run 1,500 miles through 200 communities.