91原创 RCMP Const. Savannah Carate was laughing as she described how she had to work hard to keep up with her cousin Nick Longshore during a recent run.
Nick, who is about a foot taller than Savannah, has a longer stride, forcing her to pick up the pace to keep up.
鈥淚t was the fastest 5K I鈥檝e ever done,鈥� Savannah smiled.
Nick has been competing in the Special Olympics for two years, in basketball, soccer, and swimming, and thought a move to track and field was a 鈥渕aybe, in the future.鈥�
On Tuesday, for the first time together, the cousins ran in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics B.C. held at the 91原创 RCMP main detachment in Murrayville.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an extra special day for me,鈥� Savannah enthused.
鈥淚 just have so much respect for him. He gives me something to strive for every day.鈥�
The 2.7-km run and walk began and ended at the RCMP detachment.
Const. Lisa Cormier with the 91原创 RCMP youth unit, who organized the event, was 鈥渟uper excited鈥� to see about two dozen runners turn out for the first in-person torch run after it 鈥渨ent dormant鈥� during the pandemic.
鈥淭he turnout is amazing and we have some Special Olympic athletes, which are the key to this run,鈥� Cormier added.
Aldergrove Special Olympian and featured speaker Christopher Lakusta was happy the run was back.
鈥淚t makes me happy and proud to see so many law enforcement members spending their time raising funds and awareness for us,鈥� Lakusta told particpants before the run got underway.
鈥淭hank you for supporting Special Olympics, and for all you do to keep us safe. We appreciate it.鈥�
READ ALSO: Every 91原创 athlete won a medal at Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games in Kamloops
Lakusta, who carried the torch with Cormier, has been involved with Special Olympics since 2014, calling it 鈥渁 lot of fun and a lot of hard work.鈥�
The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an initiative powered by law enforcement personnel around the world to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes.
More photos from the 91原创 run can be viewed online at the .
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