Special Olympics event held in memory of fallen local officer

York Regional Police's annual race to raise money for Special Olympics Ontario is back this week. 

On Wednesday, June 22, officers and members of the public will be lining up at Riverwalk Commons to race in the timed five- or 10-kilometre race. 

While it is a timed, race participants have the option to run, walk, strut or stroll at their own pace. 

The local run is one of the law enforcement torch runs being held all across Ontario, which have raised more than $35 million since they started in 1987. The funds raised are in support of Special Olympics Ontario programs. 

The York Regional Police run is named Race for Plunkett in honour of fallen officer Det. Const. Rob Plunkett, a Midhurst resident who was killed in the line of duty in August 2007. 

He had been working surveillance on an airbag theft investigation in Markham when he was struck by a vehicle. He was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries. The person driving the vehicle was convicted in the death in 2011. 

Plunkett was a big supporter of Special Olympics and the torch run, his family said in a video from YRP's run last year. 

Last year, $12,000 was raised by YRP through the sale of t-shirts and donations. The 2021 event was held virtually with hopes that the event in 2022 would be back in person, which it is. 

You can register for the run, buy a t-shirt, or make a donation online. The race will be held on June 22 at 6 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons in Newmarket. 

There will be fun activities for the whole family, including music and law enforcement displays, as well as the Flame of Hope torch lighting ceremony featuring Special Olympics athletes.