A torch of hope for Special Olympics

Laguna Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety departments participated in the Southern California Special Olympics Torch Run on Thursday.

The Torch Run is an annual event during which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremony of local Special Olympics competition, according to a release. The run was created in 1981 in response to a need to raise funding and awareness for the Special Olympics.

Laguna Beach began its leg of the run at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the Police Department and continued on North Coast Highway for 5.5 miles, where it handed off the torch to members of Newport Beach Police Department at Newport Coast Drive.

— Joanna Clay