Quick Glance
Date
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time
Registration at 7:00 A.M.
Race begins at 8:00 A.M.
$38.45
Required for chip-timed participants and ruck participants. Online registration closed on August 31.
$20
Purchase an official hat or T-shirt to walk, run casually, or show support.
Location
Event Overview
The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run brings together participants from across the United States and more than 40 countries in support of Special Olympics athletes. In 2026, the local Torch Run will take place on Saturday, September 12, at 8:00 a.m. at Leonardtown High School, and everyone is welcome to participate. Participants may walk, run, or ruck.
Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., with the race starting at 8:00 a.m. Participants who want their time officially recorded or who plan to participate in the ruck must preregister online at www.runtheday.com (search “SMCSO – Law Enforcement Torch Run/Ruck”), as this is a chip-timed event. Online registration is $38.45 and closes on August 31.
Participants who do not wish to be timed and plan to walk or run may simply purchase an official 2026 Torch Run hat or T-shirt for $20 to take part. Those who prefer not to walk, run, or ruck are also encouraged to purchase and wear event merchandise to show support for Special Olympics athletes.
Official Torch Run hats and T-shirts are available in advance or on-site on the day of the event. Advance purchases can be made at the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters, 23150 Leonard Hall Drive in Leonardtown, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (cash or Venmo), or at the District 3 Station, 23125 Camden Way, California, MD 20619. Participants may also arrange advance purchases by contacting Sergeant Angela Delozier at Angela.Delozier@stmaryscountymd.gov.
You may click on the links below to purchase merchandise, register for the run, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses and community partners can support the event through available sponsorship opportunities.
Register To Be a SponsorFrequently Asked Questions
Online registration is required if you want your time officially recorded or if you plan to participate in the ruck. Participants who do not wish to be timed and plan to walk or run may simply purchase an official Torch Run hat or T-shirt for $20 to take part.
Online registration is $38.45 and is required for chip-timed participants and ruck participants. Participants who plan to walk or run without being timed may purchase an official 2026 Torch Run hat or T-Shirt for $20.
No. Participants may walk, run, or ruck. You can also support the event by purchasing and wearing an official Torch Run hat or T-Shirt, even if you do not participate in the event itself.
Chip timing allows your race time to be electronically recorded for official results. Participants who want their time officially recorded must register online in advance.
Yes. Participants who plan to take part in the ruck must preregister online at www.runtheday.com by August 31.
Online registration closes on August 31.
Yes. While not required, participants are strongly encouraged to pick up their race packet prior to event day. Packets will be available for pickup at the District 3 Station on September 3 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., or at the Sheriff’s Office Headquarters on September 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This will help reduce wait times on race day.
Yes. Same-day participation is welcome for those who plan to walk or run without being timed. You can purchase a hat or T-shirt on-site, while supplies last, and join the event.
Merchandise is available at the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Headquarters in Leonardtown and at the District 3 Station in Califonia, or by contacting Sergeant Angela Delozier.
Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and the race starts at 8:00 a.m.
Yes. The Torch Run is open to all community members who want to support Special Olympics athletes.