Avoyelles Parish hosts 2025 torch run for Special Olympics LA

MARKSVILLE, La. (WNTZ) — The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office is calling on the community to lace up their running shoes and join law enforcement officers, athletes, and supporters for the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics Louisiana.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office headquarters at 675 Government St. in Marksville and ending at the entrance of the casino.

Participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes before the start time.

The annual Torch Run is part of a nationwide movement that raises awareness and funds for Special Olympics programs, championing inclusion and support for athletes with intellectual disabilities. The event is open to the public, and residents from across Avoyelles Parish are encouraged to attend and show their support.

Early bird registration ends Monday, April 22 at 11:30 a.m. Organizers noted that shirt orders placed after May 7 are not guaranteed to arrive before the event.

“This is more than a run — it’s a chance to carry the Flame of Hope and stand together as a community for a powerful cause,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

To register or donate, visit: secure.givelively.org.

For more information, contact the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office.