Special Olympics torch route includes Newton once again

Newton Police Lt. Wayne Winchell knows he gets huge support and thanks from the community for his work with the Special Olympics Torch Run.

It’s a moment at the midpoint of Newton’s leg of the run, however, that really speaks to him.

When the Special Olympics Iowa run comes through Newton on May 16, starting at the Casey’s on the east edge of town and stopping at the Jasper County Courthouse for a ceremony and photos, Winchell hopes to again experience a magical moment. He’ll be joined by other law enforcement personnel, running in support of individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

“For me, the joy that I see on the faces of the Olympians when we meet on the courthouse lawn is what it is all about,” Winchell said. “If running a little more than four miles across Newton is what it takes to raise money and awareness of the Special Olympics, then we will do it as long as we are physically able to do so.”

The Newton leg of the Torch Run concludes on Highway 6 West, near the entrance of the Westwood Golf Course. It’s part of a statewide relay in a leadup to the 2016 Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games, being held May 19-21 at Iowa State University in Ames.

The deadline for law enforcement personnel to register is Friday.

“So far, I have runners signed on from the Newton Police, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Corrections,” Winchell said.

Melissa Butler, of Progress Industries, said there will be about 10 to 15 athletes involved who also represent PI. Approximately 20 athletes from the area will participate in May 20 events in Ames.

Winchell said he’s been involved in organizing the Jasper County leg of the Torch Run for about seven years and was a regular participant before that,

Last year, Progress Industries could not participate as a group, so the event was much smaller, involving only law enforcement runners. In 2014, the law enforcement runners started at Casey’s, ran west to meet up with Special Olympic athletes at Family Video, and then went as a group to the courthouse for photos, water and a keynote speech from then-Newton Daily News reporter Ty Rushing.

Winchell said he thinks a similar sequence will be in place this year, although he isn’t certain about a guest speaker. He said the runners might meet at the park area located on the northwest corner of E. Second St. N. and First Ave. E., across from the Newton Daily News, and then travel as a group from there to the courthouse.

The cost for law enforcement to enter the run is $35. It’s a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. The fee covers a T-shirt.

The lieutenant said while he can only speak for himself, he’s sure other officers get the same happy feeling he gets from seeing the smiles on Special Olympians’ faces.

“As for the involvement of law enforcement in this awareness and fundraising campaign, I can only assume that other officers chose to participate, as I do, because they have a heart to help and protect people that need our help and protection,” Winchell said. “In a day and age of professional athletes raised to hero status, how awesome is it that there is a platform offered to people who might never get the opportunity to experience that feeling in any other way?”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com