We encourage runners to cheer on the 2025 law enforcement torch running at the Sedona Police Station at Arizona Special Olympics, which will begin at 9am on Friday, April 11th at Sedona Cultural Park. Participants will walk, run, run, run and run along eastern state road 89A at the intersection of State Road 89A and Northview Road at 1771 W. sr 89a. The roads will not be closed during the event and drivers will be warned by electronic signs along the route.

The event is a tradition of former Torch Run, involving law enforcement agencies across the country, and is hosted by SPD Officer Katherine Beal.

“The law enforcement torch run began in Wichita, Kansas in 1981, when Prime Minister Richard Rumnyoung created a way for law enforcement to support the Special Olympics in a meaningful way,” Beers wrote in a press release. “Since then, it has grown into the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness campaign for Special Olympics around the world. Executives around the world are sending a flame of hope to the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Contest.”

The traditional version of law enforcement torch runs with interagency handoffs was abandoned as part of the Covid-19 pandemic response, and the current format of running athletes and officers in torches was the invention of beer.

“It’s high energy for athletes,” Beers said. “When the old event was held, it was literally a law enforcement officer who ran a county-to-county torch and handed over to the next agency, so the athletes were not participants, but receivers of funds raised for law enforcement torch runs.

Beers said no additional volunteers for the event are needed and the community can support the event by cheering on participants and ringing horns during passage.

“If there’s someone who knows who’s willing to stand along the course, that’s exciting for athletes,” Beers said. “Last year, Marriott employees had dozens of people along with the noise maker near the start of the route, which was unexpected.

In addition to SPD officers and volunteers, Cottonwood, Fort McDowell, Oro Valley, Payson, Prescott and Prescott Valley Police Department will be participating along with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Sedona Fire District and Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy.

The special guest for this year’s run is Joan King of Sedona, a 61-year-old Special Olympics athlete who has competed in the Special Olympics from the ages of 5 to 35. King was a multi-medal winner in numerous swimming events such as freestyle, butterflies, backstroke and diving.

“We had this huge box of medals, and she was always there as a gold medal winner,” said her sister and Guardian Kathleen King. Joanne King said competition at the Special Olympics has made her physically and mentally stronger through constant training and community.

“It’s competitive, but supportive,” Kathleen King said. “One of the things about the special needs and Special Olympics is because they want to do well with each other. That’s one of the most powerful things that has influenced Joanne’s life and ours.”

At the closing ceremony of the Torch Run, the athlete, a graduate of the Red Rocker Team at Sedona Red Rock High School, closes his run by breaking the banner at the finish line. The program is expected to end by 11:30am.

“Athlete Aldo Lala Ayala is set to graduate this year,” SOCSD special education teacher Tiffany Wilson said of this year’s award recipient. He has been involved with our Unified Special Olympics team, Sedona Red Rocker since our team began the Spring of 2018. [and] It has been a long-standing track and field, winning numerous gold medals among local and state competition winners. He enjoys training in the competition and builds lasting friendships with previous members of our team. During his time with a Unified Special Olympics team, Aldo has been repeatedly spoken about the fundraiser and programme to others in front of viewers. ”

Beers said that SPD and Sedona-Oak Creek School District’s co-owned “Minute That Muting That Matters” fundraiser raised changes on both campuses in the second week of March, raising more than $1,000 to support the district’s unified special Olympic team.

Residents can once again support Arizona’s Special Olympics in the fall at the 2nd Annual SPD Golf Scramble, held at Oak Creek Country Club on Saturday, October 11th. Please see for more details. tinyurl.com/yj6h4cuj.

Beer also accepts donations from the Arizona Special Olympics all year round. To learn more or to get involved, contact her at cbeers@sedonaaz.gov.