LETR Run Routes & Resources

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Louisiana

2019 Runner Registration/Pledge Form - NEW!

Law enforcement officers from over 100 Louisiana agencies (police departments, sheriff’s offices, Louisiana Department of Corrections, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Customs, and all branches of the United States Military) all participate in the state-wide torch run to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Louisiana. Each year, over 3,000 officers carry the torch on a relay throughout Louisiana.

Funds are generated through contributions from individuals and businesses along the way and through sales of the popular Torch Run T-shirts. The intrastate torch relay will culminate at the Opening Ceremony of our Special Olympics Louisiana State Summer Games in May. Officers from around the state join together to bring the Flame of Hope™ into the stadium.

Torch Run Routes by Area

For exact times and routes, please contact your local Police Department or Sheriff’s Department. Dates/cities subject to change.

ACADIANA
Lafayette Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
The run will begin at 9am at the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and travel to Opelousas Visitors Center on Hwy 190. Drink, food, music and fun after the run!  Contact: Trish A. Bernard at 337-236-3908 or Patricia.Bernard2@lafayettesheriff.com for more info.

BAYOULAND
St. John the Baptist Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Registration opens at 7:30am with the run at 8am. Start location is Frostop (411 E. Airline Hwy, LaPlace) and will end at St. Peter’s Church parking lot. After party at Frenier's Landing Restaurant and Oyster Bar (113 Dottie Lane, off of Peavine Rd. in LaPlace). There will be food, drinks, and music.Contact: Nancy Comardelle at 985-449-4487 or nancy-comardelle@lpso.net.

Lafourche Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Registration opens at 7:30am with the run at 8am. Start location is Troop C (4047 West Park Ave.) and will continue to the Tourist Center ( 4484 Hwy 1, Raceland 70394) under the Raceland over pass. Hwy 1. Following the run there will be a BBQ at the park with lots of food, drinks, music and fun. Contact: Nancy Comardelle at 985-449-4487 or nancy-comardelle@lpso.net.

St. Charles Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Run starts at 9:30am from River Road and Ormond Boulevard in Destrehan to the Knights of Columbus Hall (375 Spruce St.) Contact: Nancy Comardelle at 985-449-4487 or nancy-comardelle@lpso.net.

CAPITAL AREA
Ascension Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Runners will meet at Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office (828 Irma Blvd) to be shuttled to Gonzales Municipal Park on Burnside Ave. for a 9am start. The run will end at The ARC of East Ascension.  Contact: Bob Escamilla at 225-588-4084 or bescamilla@ascensionsheriff.com.

East Baton Rouge Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Official Torch Lighting Ceremony begins at 8:30am at the North Boulevard Town Square in downtown Baton Rouge. The Baton Rouge Torch Run will begin immediately after the ceremony.

FLORIDA PARISHES
Washington Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Run starts at Rayburn Correctional Center and ends at St. Tammany Parish Line on Hwy 25 near Folsom for handoff to St. Tammany Parish.

St. Tammany Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 8am for 8:30am run. Starts/ends at Mandeville Trailhead and runs through Old Mandeville.

Livingston Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Run starts at 9:30am at G.M. Varnado and Sons Automotive Center (2500 Florida Blvd SW, Denham Springs) and continues to the Livingston/Tangipahoa Parish line.

Tangipahoa Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Tangipahoa officers will receive the torch from the Livingston officers at the Tangipahoa Parish Line on Hwy 190 W. in front of Hammond State School and continue to Southeastern Louisiana University for State Summer Games Opening Ceremony.

GREATER NEW ORLEANS
Jefferson Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Registration at 7am for 8am run at Kenner Police Headquarters (500 Veterans Blvd.). Enter in the back gate of the building on Nick Congemi Drive, for check in, T-shirt pick up, and to load buses. Party hosted by KPD with lots of Drinks, Food, Music and Prizes.  Contact: Ninoska Guggenheim at 504-712-2395 or nguggenheim@kennerpd.com   OR  Ken Guichard at 504-363-5500 or guichard_kj@jpso.com.

St. Bernard Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Register at 9:30am for 10am run. Starts at St. Bernard Courthouse and continues to Dr. Mereaux Blvd. Celebration will be held at Pavilion.  Contact: Jessie Gernados at 504-224-1374 or jgernados@sbso.org

Plaquemines Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 6:30am; run starts at 7:10am. Starts and ends at (13629 Hwy 23 Jesuit Bend) and runs to multiple schools in the parish. Contact: Jessie Gernados at 504-224-1374 or jgernados@sbso.org

NORTHEAST
Moorehouse Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
A brief ceremony will be held at Morehouse Parish Courthouse, north side of building (100 E. Madison Ave., Bastrop, 71220) and a walk with SOLA athletes around the building. 8:00am registration. 8:30am run. 59 miles to Columbia Bridge and finish the run to Georgetown before dinner on the river at Columbia.   Contact: Sharon Bacle at 318-680-1434 or sbacleopso@hotmail.com

NORTHWEST
Caddo Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Agencies on the East side of the Red River will meet at Bossier City Civic Center, Bossier City and will end at Relay Station, 10281 Hwy-1 South, Shreveport LA.  Contact: Chad Davis at 318-773-2582 or chad.davis@caddosheriff.org.

CENTRAL
Red River/Natchitoches Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 12:30am for 1pm run. Runners will meet the North West Area at the Red River Parish Line on Hwy-1 and end at NSU Pavilion across from Prather Coliseum. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office will host a cookout for the runners and volunteers at the Pavilion area on Northwestern State University campus.   Contact:  Wendy Llorens at 318-357-2239 or wllorens@npsheriff.net

LaSalle Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
The run will begin at 9am at the LaSalle Courthouse (1050 Courthouse Street, Jena) with ceremony. They will end the run the courthouse. The distance is 1 mile.   Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Grant Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
The run will begin at 10:30am at Grant Parish Courthouse  (200 Main Street, Colfax) after a welcoming ceremony. They will end the run the courthouse. The distance is 1 mile. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Rapides Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Runners will start at the back gate at Louisiana College on Main Street at (College Boulevard, Pineville). They will end the run at Alexandria Police Department (1000 Bolton Avenue). The distance is 2.4 miles. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov.

Cenla Area Media Run/Jimmy Chevalier Run – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Runners will leave Louisiana State Police Troop E on (Odom Street to Bolton Avenue). They will end the run at the Red River Amphitheatre. The distance is 2.4 miles. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov

Alexandria – 2019 Date and Details TBA
At 7am, runners will go from Troop E, down (Odom Street to Bolton Avenue). They will end the run at McAllister’s Deli (3601 Masonic Drive, #2525, Alexandria). Distance 4.5 miles. Contact: Wendy Charrier at 318-447-0565 or wcharrier@rpso.la.gov

Red River/Natchitoches Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
7am start at NSU Pavilion across from Prather Coliseum. Natchitoches runners then continue on Highway 1 South (55 miles) into Rapides parish ending at Troop E in Alexandria at approx. 2:30 pm. Contact:  Wendy Llorens at 318-357-2239 or wllorens@npsheriff.net

SOUTHWEST
Calcasieu Parish – 2019 Date and Details TBA
Check-in at 7:30am; run starts at 8am from Calcasieu Parish Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy (3958 Mallard Cove, Lake Charles, LA) and ends at Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, where the run will end (5400 E. Broad Street Lake Charles, LA)   Contact: Kayla Vincent at 337-302-1848 or kvincent@cpso.com.

LETR Resources

The Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run has successfully expanded because committed individuals and programs have generously shared ideas, resources and information.

Below are links to many of the resources you'll need as an active member of the Torch Run. Please contact Special Olympics Louisiana if you have any questions or need additional information about Torch Run activities in your area. If you are unsure who to contact, view our LETR Leaders page.

Click here to find out about SOLA's fundraising events!Events

Run Information

How to Register - This document explains the rules, registration deadlines and ordering processes for the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Runner Registration Form
LETR Rules & Guidelines
Standard Operating Procedures

Cash Form - Use this when having multiple donations/transactions monetary or inkind donations. This will help ensure that your donation and the donor are receiving proper recognition for the given donation.
Logo
Letterhead

If you are a member of a law enforcement agency and would like to become involved in the Louisiana Law Enforcement Torch Run movement, contact us.