Patrick Blue wasn’t intimidated by the 11-mile run before him Wednesday morning. For the Orchards resident who enjoys long-distance running, it was just another day with his friends in Special Olympics.
Blue was one of about 30 athletes who crowded outside the Clark County Courthouse just before 8 a.m. with support personnel, coaches and police officers to prepare for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Blue said he has participated in Special Olympics for about 13 years. The reason he keeps coming back?
“It’s just good to hang out with friends,” he said, adding that it’s also just good to exercise.
Audrey Stekhuizen, who helps coordinate the Torch Run, said it is a good opportunity for athletes to bond with each other, as well as with law enforcement personnel.
“It lets the kids know that police are safe and can be trusted,” she said.
Her son, Andrew Stekhuizen, started the race carrying the torch before it was handed off to other athletes. The group headed through downtown Vancouver and Hazel Dell. The trip ended at the Public Safety Complex at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds around 10:30 a.m., Stekhuizen said.
Then the 100 or so folks who watched and participated got together for hot dogs and hamburgers.
The Special Olympics Washington Summer Games start Saturday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma.
