CAMDEN/ROCKLAND — The skies cleared early Wednesday morning, just in time as runners were gathering in downtown Camden, all sporting special tee- shirts with the inscription “Guardians of the Torch,” for this years annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. 

For the Wiley family of Camden, the annual torch run is a very significant tradition, especially this year. Graham Wiley, 25, a Special Olympics athlete, celebrated his 20th year of leading the runners with the torch.

Wiley has participated in the games since he was in Kindergarten and has earned several medals over the years. This year, he will once again compete in the softball throw, 50-meter dash, and the standing long jump.

His mother, Beverly, said he works hard to train and knows what he needs to do to prepare for the games. Sherwood, Graham’s father, added that he likes to win his medals.

“It is very important that Special Olympians are recognized and the Town of Camden has been very supportive with including Graham in the annual Torch Run. Everyone welcomes Graham every year and respects him for who he is,” said Beverly. 

Though the Rockland leg commenced just north of Home Depot on Route 1, Special Olympians Josiah Rhodes and Tash McLaughlin asked to carry the torch past GoodWill, a further jaunt down the road than organizers had intended for the athletes in yellow.

Both Olympians work at the retailer, and some employees had offered to watch for them as they passed.

“I was named employee of the month,” Rhodes announced to his coaches and Rockland Police Department Torch Run organizer Officer Troy Peaslee.

Listeners of this announcement expressed congratulations and asked why they hadn’t heard of this already. The answer — he received this recognition several years ago.

To these athletes, an exciting event in their lives rarely fades into the past, as Rockland Kiwanis member Marjorie Kinney alluded to in an email regarding fundraising for this year’s Statewide Olympic Games this weekend at the University of Maine.

“The Special Olympians look forward to this, their highlight of the year, which they talk about for the rest of the year,” she said.

To assure that all athletes are able to participate, Rockland Kiwanis held a Walk So They Can Run fundraiser Saturday, June 4. Money from this event, added to other fundraisers for this year, totaled $1,875, according to Kinney.

Kiwanis member Bill Batty estimated a cost of $80 per athlete to attend. Funding is also distributed to coaches, who are now required to train the athletes in the sports participated in.

After several of Rockland’s 13 athletes, coached by Tina Fales, held the torch briefly, police cars escorted Officer Peaslee, the five Coast Guard members who didn't start in Camden, and two runners from the District Attorney’s office to Applebee's at the Thomaston line.

Awaiting the handoff were Patrick Hood, sergeant of Troop D barracks in Augusta, and Jason Andrews, detective of the Major Crime Unit Central out of Augusta. Their escorts were Sgt. Timothy Hoppe of Thomaston Police and State Trooper Jeremy Wesbrock.

Hood and Wesbrock have been participating in the Torch Run for at least ten years now.

“It’s kind of neat. A lot of money is raised by law enforcement towards the torch run for special Olympics.  It’s good stuff,” Wesbrock said.

Before taking off for the Waldoboro line, the runners received thank you’s and handshakes from the Olympians.

The Olympians then shook each other’s hands.

It was just a handshaking type of day.

Reach Sarah Shepherd and Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com